What Do Mourning Doves Eat? A Look at Their Diet
What Do Mourning Doves Eat? A Look at Their Diet
Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are among the most widespread and recognizable birds in North America. Their soft cooing calls, slender bodies, and graceful flight make them a favorite sight in gardens, parks, and open fields. While they may seem delicate, mourning doves are highly adaptable when it comes to finding food. In this blog, we’ll explore what mourning doves eat, how they forage, and how you can attract them to your backyard.
1. Primarily Seed Eaters
Mourning doves are granivores, meaning their diet mainly consists of seeds. In fact, seeds make up about 99% of their diet, making them one of the most seed-dependent bird species.
2. Favorite Seeds
Mourning doves prefer small, easily digestible seeds. Some of their favorites include:
- Sunflower seeds
- Millet
- Cracked corn
- Canary seed
- Sorghum
These seeds provide essential nutrients and energy, especially during migration and cold weather.
3. Foraging on the Ground
Unlike many birds that feed from trees or bushes, mourning doves prefer foraging on the ground. They often feed in open areas like fields, roadsides, and lawns, searching for fallen seeds. They rarely scratch the soil like some ground-feeding birds but rely on their keen eyesight to spot food.
4. Visiting Backyard Feeders
If you want to attract mourning doves to your yard, consider using:
- Platform feeders (Mourning doves prefer flat surfaces rather than hanging feeders.)
- Ground feeding areas with scattered seeds.
- Low birdbaths for easy access to water.
They particularly enjoy black oil sunflower seeds, white millet, and cracked corn.
5. Grit Helps with Digestion
Mourning doves lack teeth, so they swallow small gravel or grit to help grind seeds in their gizzard. This process allows them to break down tough seed coatings and absorb nutrients efficiently.
6. Occasionally Eat Fruits and Berries
Although seeds are their primary food source, mourning doves occasionally eat small fruits and berries, especially in the late summer and fall when seeds are less abundant. Some common choices include:
- Wild berries
- Small fruits from shrubs
- The occasional soft grain
7. Rarely Eat Insects
Unlike many other birds, mourning doves rarely consume insects. However, they may eat a few soft-bodied insects like ants or beetles, mainly for extra protein during nesting season.
8. Drinking Water Uniquely
Mourning doves have a special drinking method compared to most birds. Instead of tilting their heads back to swallow, they can drink continuously using their beaks like a straw, allowing them to hydrate quickly and efficiently.
9. Diet Changes with Seasons
- Spring & Summer: More variety, including some berries and fruits.
- Fall & Winter: Heavily rely on seeds and grains as natural food sources decline.
They often visit agricultural fields after harvest to scavenge leftover grains like wheat and sorghum.
10. Mourning Doves Help Control Weeds
Since mourning doves consume a high quantity of seeds, they naturally help control unwanted weeds by eating invasive plant seeds before they can sprout.
Conclusion
Mourning doves are gentle, ground-feeding birds that rely almost entirely on seeds for survival. Their ability to forage in a variety of environments and their preference for open spaces make them one of the most commonly seen birds in North America. Whether they’re pecking at scattered seeds in a backyard or feeding in a quiet meadow, these graceful birds add a sense of peace and beauty wherever they go.