Doves are often associated with symbols of peace and devotion, contributing to a popular perception of lasting partnerships. This belief raises questions about their true mating habits. Understanding the science of dove relationships clarifies the reality behind these common perceptions.
The Nature of Dove Pair Bonds
Many dove species exhibit strong pair bonds, often described as social monogamy, where a male and female partner together for at least one breeding season. While the popular notion suggests doves mate for life, this is not universally true. For example, Rock Doves (feral pigeons) often form lifelong pair bonds, remaining loyal unless one partner dies. In contrast, Mourning Doves, a common North American species, typically form strong bonds for a single breeding season and may not pair with the same individual in subsequent years.
This highlights the difference between social monogamy, where pairs raise offspring together, and genetic monogamy, which implies exclusive reproduction. While doves are socially monogamous, extra-pair copulations can occur, meaning social pairing does not always equate to exclusive genetic parentage. The duration of these bonds varies, with some species maintaining partnerships for several nesting seasons or until one bird dies, particularly in longer-lived species.
Raising Young Together
Dove pair bonds are evident in their cooperative approach to raising young. Both male and female doves share responsibilities throughout the nesting cycle. The male typically selects potential nest sites, and once the female chooses one, he gathers materials like twigs, grass, and pine needles, bringing them to her as she constructs a platform nest.
Both parents take turns incubating the two eggs per clutch. The male often incubates during the day, while the female takes the night shift, ensuring continuous attendance for 14 to 19 days until hatching. After the squabs (young doves) hatch, both parents produce “crop milk,” a nutrient-rich secretion from their crop lining. This is regurgitated directly to the young, providing essential nourishment. As the squabs grow, their diet shifts to seeds, and parents continue feeding them for several weeks after they fledge.
What Influences Dove Partnerships
Several factors can influence the formation and duration of dove partnerships. The availability of mates in a given area plays a role, as a dove that loses its partner will typically seek a new one. Habitat stability and the presence of predators can also impact pair bonds; high predator pressure may lead to shorter lifespans, which in turn necessitates finding new mates more frequently. For example, Mourning Doves have a relatively short average lifespan in the wild, often only one to two years, which contributes to their tendency to form seasonal rather than lifelong bonds.
Despite the general strength of their bonds, if one partner dies, the surviving dove will almost always find another mate. This adaptability ensures continued reproductive success for the individual and the species. While some dove species are known for particularly strong, long-term pair bonds, others prioritize prolific breeding, raising multiple broods per year, which may result in less emphasis on maintaining the same partner across many seasons if conditions change.