It’s not uncommon to see doves sitting on the ground, but there are a few reasons why they might do this that are important to understand. Doves generally prefer to perch up high, so when they’re spotted down low it could signal that something is wrong. However, doves will also land on the ground to feed, bathe, and rest. Knowing what’s normal behavior and what’s not can help you determine if a dove on the ground needs help or if it’s just going about its regular activities.
Typical Reasons Doves Sit on the Ground
Here are some of the usual explanations for doves being spotted down on the ground:
- Feeding – Doves often forage for food on the ground, searching for seeds, grains, or other small morsels. This is perfectly normal behavior.
- Dust bathing – To clean their feathers and rid themselves of parasites, doves will fluff around in the dirt and dust. They’ll stretch out one wing and lean to one side, rolling around in the dust.
- Resting – When not nesting, doves will rest on the ground periodically throughout the day. They find a quiet, fairly hidden spot to nap and digest before moving on.
- Sunning – Doves can sometimes be seen lying on the ground sunning themselves. The sunlight helps control feather parasites.
- Nesting – Ground nesting is common for certain dove species. They build flimsy nests out of twigs and grass directly on the ground, rather than up in trees.
- Injury or illness – A dove that is too weak, sick, or injured to fly or perch may end up grounded until they recover enough strength.
So in most cases, seeing a dove parked on the ground is nothing to be alarmed about. Healthy doves will spend a portion of their day pecking at seeds, taking dust baths, lounging in the sun, and otherwise going about normal dove activities down low.
Signs a Grounded Dove Needs Help
While a ground-sitting dove is usually fine, there are some signs that indicate a bird may be in trouble and need assistance:
- Sitting in one spot for very long periods without moving – Healthy doves may rest on the ground briefly but will be active foraging and moving about often.
- Drooping or dragging wings – This can signal an injured wing preventing the bird from flying up to safety.
- Ruffled, dirty feathers – Messy feathers may mean the dove is too weak to preen and clean itself.
- Walking in circles or instability – Neurological issues will cause a dove to have difficulty walking or keeping balance.
- No attempt to flee – Healthy doves will fly or run away when approached by humans or potential predators.
- Bleeding, wounds, or limping – Obvious injuries point to the dove needing medical attention.
If a grounded dove is exhibiting any of these signs, it likely needs help. Without intervention, severely injured or ill doves left on the ground will often fall victim to predators, starvation, or infection.
Is Ground Nesting Normal for Doves?
Some dove species build nests and raise young directly on the ground, rather than up in trees and ledges like other birds. Is this normal behavior?
Dove Species that Nest on the Ground
Several types of doves around the world commonly nest on the bare ground:
- Mourning Doves – The most widespread ground nesting dove in North America. They lay eggs in a small twig platform.
- Galapagos Doves – Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, these doves nest in scrubby vegetation.
- Laughing Doves – Found across Africa, Asia, and Australia, these doves build flimsy stick nests on the ground.
- Emerald Doves – Native to Australia and southeast Asia, they nest in a scrape on the ground.
- Common Ground Doves – As the name implies, this species across Central and South America nests on the ground.
For these species, choosing to nest on the ground rather than an elevated location is perfectly natural and normal behavior. It’s essential for their reproductive strategy and success.
Advantages of Ground Nesting
Building nests on the ground can offer doves some key advantages:
- Protection – Nests hidden in dense grass and shrubs are more concealed from predators.
- Stability – Ground nests don’t blow around in wind and storms like elevated nests might.
- Temperature – Nesting on the bare ground allows eggs and hatchlings to stay cooler.
- Accessibility – Doves don’t have to fly up and down repeatedly to access a ground nest.
For species that have adapted to it, ground nesting is an effective strategy that takes advantage of the environment around them.
Risks and Challenges
However, nesting on the ground does come with certain risks and challenges:
- Greater predation – Eggs and young are more vulnerable to snakes, coyotes, and other animals.
- Flooding – Nests can be flooded out by heavy rains.
- Disturbance -Human activity is more likely to disrupt a ground nest.
- Parasitism – Greater exposure to parasites like ticks.
So ground nesting requires adaptation to deal with these added difficulties. But for the dove species that have evolved to nest on the bare ground, it remains their normal and natural nesting behavior.
Typical Habitats and Range of Ground Nesting Doves
The habitats and geographic ranges of ground nesting doves can vary greatly depending on the specific species:
Mourning Doves
- Habitat – Open woods, grasslands, farms, suburbs
- Range – Across most of United States down into Central America
Mourning doves occupy a wide range of open habitats and thrive near human development.
Laughing Doves
- Habitat – Scrublands, grasslands, dry forests
- Range – Africa, southern Asia, northern Australia
Laughing doves stick to drier habitats across their wide range.
Galapagos Doves
- Habitat – Dry lowland areas
- Range – Galapagos Islands
As their name implies, Galapagos doves are limited exclusively to the Galapagos.
Emerald Doves
- Habitat – Rainforests, mangroves, wooded areas
- Range – Northeastern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
Emerald doves occupy forested tropical areas of the Australasia region.
Common Ground Doves
- Habitat – Dry forests, shrublands, savannahs
- Range – Mexico down through South America
Common ground doves are at home in drier habitats from Mexico down into Chile and Argentina.
So while all these species nest on the ground, they each occupy different regions of the world and types of habitat based on their unique needs.
Behavior Differences Between Ground Nesting and Tree Nesting Doves
Since certain doves build their nests on the ground while others nest up on tree branches and ledges, there are some key differences in their behavior patterns:
Nest Construction
- Ground nests – Made of flimsy twigs, grasses; located in hidden depressions on ground
- Tree nests – Sturdier twig platforms; built on tree branches, cliff ledges
Tree nests must be more tightly constructed to avoid falling, while ground nests mainly need concealment.
Mating and Pairing
- Ground nesters – Defend larger territories, remain paired for multiple seasons
- Tree nesters – Defend smaller mating territories, pair bonds only last one season
The resources needed to raise young on the ground influences mating strategies.
Chick Development
- Ground nests – Young fledge later, parents continually brood chicks
- Tree nests – Young fledge earlier, parents brood less often
The more exposed ground nests require longer care until chicks can fly.
Predator Avoidance
- Ground nesters – Use camouflage and secrecy for protection
- Tree nesters – Mob predators in groups, rely on elevation for safety
Very different survival strategies are needed on the ground versus up in trees.
So while all doves share common traits, adaptations for ground versus tree nesting lead to behavioral differences between species and habitats. The unique needs of their nesting strategy shape their actions.
Statistics on Population Sizes of Ground Nesting Doves
Many dove species that build nests and raise young on the ground are still abundant and widespread. However, some are endangered and at risk of decline. Here are population statistics on several ground nesting doves:
Mourning Doves
- 350-400 million global population
- One of the most abundant and widespread doves in North America
Laughing Doves
- 10-25 million estimated global population
- Still a common species across parts of Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australia
Galapagos Doves
- 250,000-1,000,000 estimated population
- Most numerous land bird endemic to the Galapagos Islands
Emerald Doves
- Global population unknown but species listed as Least Concern
- Considered common still across most of Australasia range
Common Ground Dove
- Unknown global population but species is still common
- Has adapted well to human-altered habitats across the Americas
For the most part, ground nesting has not posed a major threat to dove populations. However, habitat loss in some areas can put pressure on species that nest on the ground. Continued conservation is needed for some.
Threats and Conservation Status of Ground Nesting Doves
Some major threats facing ground nesting doves include:
- Habitat degradation – Due to farming, grazing, development, etc.
- Predators – Ground nests more vulnerable to snakes, coyotes, etc.
- Climate change – Could alter habitat suitability in some regions
- Hunting – Legal and illegal harvests still occur in some areas
But most ground nesting species remain common and stable:
| Species | Conservation Status |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Least Concern |
| Laughing Dove | Least Concern |
| Galapagos Dove | Least Concern |
| Emerald Dove | Least Concern |
| Common Ground Dove | Least Concern |
Only the Inca Dove in South America is currently Near Threatened. Continued habitat conservation is needed, but ground nesting itself does not seem to imperil most dove species.
Conclusion
While we often associate doves with perching and nesting high up, it’s perfectly normal and natural behavior for various dove species around the world to make their homes right on the ground.
Ground nesting offers advantages like concealment and stability for some doves. The behaviors and adaptations of ground nesting birds differ from their tree nesting cousins, shaped by their unique needs.
Though ground nests face some extra risks, most of these dove species continue to thrive. With proper habitat management, the ground nesting strategy should remain viable into the future for those doves who have mastered it.
