🕊️ What Do Mourning Doves Eat? A Guide to Their Seed-Based Diet
🕊️ A Guide to the Mourning Dove's Diet (What Do They Really Eat?) 🕊️
Mourning doves are one of the most common and beloved backyard birds. They are known for their gentle cooing sounds and their peaceful demeanor. You often see them walking calmly on the ground. This leads many to wonder what they are looking for.
So, what do mourning doves eat? Unlike many other birds, mourning doves are not interested in worms or a wide variety of foods. They are specialized eaters with a very specific menu. Understanding their diet is the key to attracting and supporting them in your local area.
This guide will explore the simple but specific diet of these graceful birds. It is a perfect topic as we observe them foraging during the crisp autumn days here in Bursa. 🍂
🤔 What is the Main Food Source for a Mourning Dove?
The first thing to know about a mourning dove diet is that they are primarily granivores. This is a scientific term that means they are seed-eaters. In fact, an incredible 99% of their diet is made up of seeds. They are true seed specialists.
Mourning doves are ground feeders. They do not cling to feeders like finches. Instead, they forage on the ground, picking up seeds that have fallen from plants or other feeders. Their beaks are not strong enough to crack open large, hard shells.
What are their favorite types of seeds?
They prefer small, easily swallowed seeds. Their favorite foods include:
- Millet
- Safflower seeds
- Cracked corn
- Sunflower seeds (especially black oil sunflower seeds)
- Do They Eat Anything Besides Seeds?
While seeds make up almost their entire diet, mourning doves are technically omnivores. On very rare occasions, they may eat small insects or snails. However, this is not a significant part of their diet. For all practical purposes, they are herbivores.
- How Do They Digest Their Food?
Mourning doves have a unique way of eating. They do not crack seeds open. Instead, they swallow them whole. The seeds are stored in a part of their esophagus called the crop. Later, the seeds move to their gizzard, which is a muscular part of their stomach.
To help grind up the hard seeds, doves need to consume small bits of sand or gravel. This is known as grit. The grit in their gizzard acts like teeth, breaking down the seeds for digestion.
- How Can You Attract Mourning Doves to Your Bird Feeder?
If you want to attract these gentle birds to your yard, you need to cater to their ground-feeding habits. A traditional hanging feeder is not their preferred spot. The best ways to feed them are:
- Platform Feeders: A low, flat platform feeder is perfect. It gives them a stable surface to land on.
- Ground Feeding: The simplest method is to scatter their favorite seeds, like millet or cracked corn, directly on the ground in a clean, open area.
🚫 What Should You Never Feed a Mourning Dove?
While they are not picky seed-eaters, some human foods are very harmful to them. You should never offer them:
- Bread: Bread has almost no nutritional value for birds and can cause health problems.
- Processed Foods: Crackers, chips, and other human snacks are unhealthy and can be dangerous.
By providing a clean source of their favorite seeds and fresh water, you can enjoy the calming presence of these beautiful birds in your garden all year round. ✨