Doves are a familiar sight and sound across many landscapes, recognized by their soft cooing and gentle demeanor. These birds are found in various environments, from rural farmlands to suburban areas, making them one of the most widespread avian species.
Annual Egg-Laying Frequency
Doves are prolific breeders, contributing to their widespread abundance. In warmer climates, a single pair, particularly Mourning Doves, can raise up to six broods per year. This high frequency is among the most extensive of any native North American bird. While six broods are possible, two to five nesting attempts are more commonly observed.
The breeding season for doves spans a considerable duration. In southern regions, nesting can commence as early as February or March, extending through October, and sometimes into November. This prolonged period allows them ample opportunity to produce multiple clutches. Frequent breeding helps offset the high mortality rates they experience annually.
The Dove Breeding Cycle
A typical dove breeding cycle begins with nest construction, often a flimsy twig platform. The male gathers materials, passing them to the female who weaves them into the nest, a process taking two to four days. Once the nest is complete, the female typically lays two plain, white eggs, though occasionally three or four.
Both parents share incubation, with the male often taking the day shift and the female incubating through the night. The incubation period lasts approximately 14 days. After hatching, the young, known as squabs, are initially fed “crop milk,” a nutrient-rich substance produced by both parents. This diet supports rapid growth for three to four days, then transitions to seeds.
Squabs fledge, or leave the nest, remarkably quickly, typically within 11 to 15 days of hatching. They depart the nest before fully grown but can digest adult food. After fledging, young doves remain close to their parents for one to two weeks, or up to a month, receiving parental care, often from the father. The entire nesting process takes about 32 days.
Factors Affecting Breeding Success
Several factors influence the number of successful breeding cycles doves can complete in a year. Food availability is a primary determinant, as doves subsist on seeds. Abundant seed sources, found in agricultural fields, grasslands, and suburban areas, provide energy for frequent reproduction.
Weather conditions also play a significant role in breeding success. Cool, wet spring weather can suppress nesting activity and reduce success rates, as heavy rains and high winds can destroy flimsy nests. Warm and dry conditions promote more frequent nesting attempts. Extreme heat poses challenges, necessitating water for thermoregulation.
Predation is another substantial factor impacting dove populations and breeding efforts. Doves face high mortality from predators like hawks, owls, foxes, snakes, skunks, and domestic cats. The need to compensate for these losses drives their prolific breeding strategy. Suitable nesting habitats, typically in open or semi-open areas with scattered trees and shrubs, offer protection. Adequate tree cover density is important for nesting site selection.