Mourning doves are a familiar sight across North America, recognized by their soft cooing and graceful presence in various habitats, from suburban yards to open fields. Their widespread distribution often leads to curiosity about their nesting behaviors, particularly whether they return to the same nest or general areas.
Reusing the Same Nest
Mourning doves do not reuse the same nest structure for subsequent broods within a single breeding season or in following years. Their nests are simple, loosely built platforms made of twigs, pine needles, and grass stems. This minimal construction means the nests are not built for durability and can easily deteriorate or fall apart after a brood has fledged.
Old nests can accumulate parasites like mites, which could negatively impact new broods. Building a new nest is a quick process for mourning doves, often taking only a few hours to a couple of days. While they might build a new nest in the same immediate vicinity or on the same structure, it is typically a fresh construction rather than a repair of the previous one. They may even take over nests built by other bird species, adding their own materials to adapt them.
Returning to Familiar Areas
While mourning doves rarely reuse the same nest, they exhibit strong site fidelity, often returning to the same general territory, yard, or neighborhood where they previously nested successfully. This behavior is observed both within a single breeding season and in consecutive years. Returning to a familiar area offers several advantages.
A known territory provides access to reliable food sources, water, and nesting materials, reducing the energy expenditure required to find new resources. Such areas also offer established shelter from predators and the elements. Successful nesting in a particular location reinforces its suitability, making it a preferred choice for future breeding attempts.
Why Doves Choose New Nesting Spots
Several factors influence a mourning dove’s decision to build a new nest, even when returning to a familiar area. The inherent fragility of their nests means they are not designed for long-term use. A nest that successfully raised one brood might not withstand environmental factors or the wear and tear of nesting activity to be suitable for another.
Building a new nest in a slightly different spot can also be a strategy for predator avoidance. If a previous nest was discovered, moving to a new location, even nearby, can help protect subsequent broods. Old nests can also harbor parasites, making a fresh start beneficial for the health of new hatchlings.
Mourning doves have one of the longest breeding seasons among North American birds, extending from early spring through late summer. This allows them to raise multiple broods, sometimes up to six, in a single year. For each new brood, constructing a new nest is standard practice. Changes in local resource availability or disturbances might also prompt them to select a new, more optimal spot within their known territory.