Doves are a familiar sight, with species like the Mourning Dove widespread across North America. While these birds are generally known for building nests in elevated locations, the question of whether they nest on the ground is complex. Ground nesting is an occasional behavior for some species when conditions necessitate it, but it is the typical behavior for others. The answer is species and habitat-dependent, illustrating the adaptability of doves in securing a location to raise their young.
The Typical Elevated Nest
The standard nest of species such as the Mourning Dove is characterized by its famously flimsy construction. These nests are simple, shallow platforms made of loosely woven materials like small twigs, pine needles, and grass stems. They are often built high in the horizontal crotch of a tree branch, shrub, or dense vine, or on human-made structures like window ledges and gutters.
This elevated placement, typically between 5 and 30 feet above the ground, offers a measure of protection from many terrestrial predators. The nest construction process is rapid, sometimes completed in just a few days. The male gathers and delivers the material to the female, who arranges it under and around herself. These structures serve the purpose of incubating a clutch, which most often consists of two small, white eggs.
Circumstances for Ground Nesting
Ground nesting is an established alternative strategy for the Mourning Dove, especially in regions where suitable trees or shrubs are sparse, such as in parts of the western United States. The lack of appropriate elevated sites, or the destruction of previous nests by high winds, can trigger this shift in placement. The dove selects a location that offers natural concealment, often under dense shrubbery or thick ground cover.
In contrast, ground nesting is the characteristic behavior for other species, such as the Common Ground Dove. This smaller species typically builds its nests on the ground in open fields, though it will also utilize low branches or bushes up to 25 feet high. For these birds, habitats of open woodlands, scrublands, and fields mean the ground provides the most immediate and accessible nesting site. The ability to produce multiple broods necessitates quick, opportunistic nesting for reproductive success.
Risks and Camouflage of Low-Level Nests
The physical structure of a ground nest differs slightly from its elevated counterpart to better suit its location. Common Ground Doves, for example, typically create a slight depression or scrape in the earth. They line this shallow bowl minimally with grasses, rootlets, and pine needles to keep the eggs relatively stable while remaining well-hidden.
Low-level nests face a heightened risk from terrestrial predators, including snakes, raccoons, and domestic cats. The parents rely heavily on camouflage and concealment within dense vegetation to protect the eggs and young. If a predator approaches, a male dove may attempt a distraction display, such as feigning a wing injury, to redirect the threat away from the nest site. Ground nests are also vulnerable to environmental hazards like flooding and accidental disturbance from foot traffic or agricultural activity.