The gentle cooing of the dove has long symbolized peace and fidelity, leading to the widespread belief that these birds mate for life. Doves are part of the Columbidae family, which also includes pigeons, and are found globally in many different species. Investigating their true mating habits reveals a more complex biological reality than this popular cultural image suggests.
Defining Avian Monogamy
Doves are best described as socially monogamous, which means a male and female form a pair bond and cooperate to raise their offspring. They often remain together for an entire breeding season or multiple seasons. This partnership is based on shared duties and physical proximity, not necessarily exclusive mating.
Social monogamy requires a clear distinction from genetic monogamy, where a bonded pair produces offspring exclusively with one another. Genetic testing shows that doves are not strictly genetically exclusive, as extra-pair copulations occasionally occur. This means some nestlings are not fathered by the male attending the nest, though the pair bond remains strong and sustained for reproductive success.
The Rituals of Pair Bonding
The relationship between doves is established and maintained through pair-bonding rituals. One common courtship display involves the male puffing out his neck feathers and inflating his crop to appear larger. He then performs a distinctive “bow-coo” display, bowing his head while emitting a cooing song to impress the female.
Physical contact, particularly mutual preening (allopreening), is a major component of reinforcing the bond. The pair gently preens each other’s feathers, often around the head and neck. This tactile interaction and constant physical proximity help synchronize the reproductive cycles of the male and female, and the male may also feed the female by regurgitating food.
Shared Parental Responsibilities
The need for a sustained, cooperative partnership is most evident in the joint effort required to raise dove offspring. Reproductive success relies heavily on the division of labor between both parents, reinforcing their social monogamy. The pair works together to construct a nest, typically a simple, flimsy platform made of sticks or straw.
Once the two eggs are laid, both the male and female share incubation responsibility, which lasts between 14 and 19 days. The male usually takes the day shift, while the female covers the eggs during the night. This shift pattern ensures the eggs are consistently warm and allows each parent time to forage.
After the young hatch, both parents feed the nestlings a unique substance known as “crop milk.” This thick, nutrient-rich secretion is produced by the lining of the crop in both the male and female. This biological adaptation necessitates a strong pair bond, as a single parent would struggle to raise the altricial young.