Mourning doves are a common backyard bird found throughout North America. Providing food and habitat for mourning doves can help support their populations while allowing you to enjoy their presence. When setting up mourning dove feeders, there are some key factors to consider in order to attract these birds and keep them safe.
Location
Finding the right location is one of the most important aspects of setting up a mourning dove feeder. Here are some tips:
- Place the feeder in an open area away from trees, bushes, and dense cover. Mourning doves prefer to feed in open spaces where they can detect predators easily.
- Select a spot about 10-15 feet from trees or shrubs. This allows the birds quick access to protective cover.
- Elevate the feeder 5-6 feet off the ground on a pole or platform mount. This helps deter predators.
- Face the feeder towards open spaces or lawns rather than wooded areas or dense brush.
- Set up multiple feeders spaced 20-30 feet apart to reduce competition.
Feeder Type
Mourning doves have relatively large bodies and long tails, so selecting the right feeder style is important:
- Platform feeders are ideal, allowing mourning doves to perch and easily pick up food.
- Hopper or house feeders with large trays and wide perches work well.
- Avoid tube feeders, as these are difficult for mourning doves to use.
- Use feeders with catch trays to minimize waste.
- Select feeders with predator guards to protect doves.
Food
Mourning doves have unique dietary preferences. Here are some recommended foods:
- Seeds: Black oil sunflower seeds, white proso millet, cracked corn, wheat, milo, safflower.
- Grains: Rolled oats, barley, rice, wheat berries.
- Avoid mixes with filler grains like milo and wheat.
- No suet, peanuts, or mixes with fruit.
Provide a mix of several preferred seeds and grains for nutritional variety. Spread seed mixes across the feeder tray rather than piling in one spot. This allows equal access for multiple birds. Add new food frequently to ensure freshness.
Water
Mourning doves need open access to water for drinking and bathing. Provide amourning dove waterer such as:
- Shallow bird bath or tray style bath placed on the ground.
- Misting system to provide moving water that attracts birds.
- Solar powered bird bath circulator to prevent stagnant water.
- Heated birdbath in winter to prevent freezing.
Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent disease transmission. Rinse and scrub baths weekly. Place water sources near trees or shrubs to give mourning doves cover while drinking and bathing.
Shelter
Mourning doves appreciate brush piles, evergreen trees, and protected nooks for shelter and nesting. You can supplement natural habitat by providing:
- Evergreen shrubs such as arborvitae, juniper, or spruce.
- Native thickets like blackberry brambles.
- Small brush piles of branches and twigs.
Position shelter sites 10-15 feet from feeders so mourning doves can easily move between food and cover. This also reduces competition between grounded feeders and birds searching for seeds on the ground.
Nesting Habitat
Mourning doves nest in trees, shrubs, or on the ground. You can help attract nesting pairs by providing:
- Evergreen trees or dense shrubs for sheltered nest sites.
- Platform nests or nesting baskets in trees.
- Brush piles on the ground.
- Nesting material such as pet hair, straw, pine needles, or twigs.
Monitor nests carefully and avoid disturbing them once eggs are laid. Limit activities near nests during nesting season from March to September.
Discourage Predators
Common mourning dove predators include hawks, owls, crows, raccoons, cats, and snakes. Deter predators by:
- Setting up feeders in open areas away from dense cover where predators hide.
- Installing predator guards on feeders.
- Elevating feeders on poles to make them inaccessible to predators.
- Using feeders with weight-sensitive perches that close access when heavy predators land.
- Keeping brush piles and bird shelters away from feeders.
Maintain Cleanliness
Keep feeders and birdbaths clean to prevent disease:
- Clean feeders with a diluted bleach solution every 2-4 weeks.
- Remove old seed and food debris under feeders weekly.
- Change birdbath water every 2-3 days.
- Thoroughly scrub baths weekly with soap and water.
Conclusion
By considering location, feeder placement, food sources, water, shelter, nesting sites, and predator deterrence, you can create an attractive habitat specifically for mourning doves. Positioning feeders and accessories properly allows mourning doves to feed, drink, and rest in peace. With some simple habitat enhancements, you can easily transform your yard into a mourning dove haven.
