The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is a common and widespread bird species across North America. While their soft cooing call is often pleasant, their tendency to congregate in large numbers can lead to issues like accumulated droppings and undesirable nesting on porches or window ledges. When these birds establish a routine, they can become a persistent nuisance, making deterrence necessary. Implementing humane, multi-faceted strategies is the most effective approach to encourage doves to relocate their activities elsewhere.
Eliminating the Attractants
The most foundational step in humane deterrence is removing the three primary resources that draw mourning doves: food, water, and shelter. Mourning doves are primarily seed-eaters and prefer to forage on open, bare ground. Bird feeders containing seeds like white millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds are strong attractants, especially when doves can feed on spilled seed beneath the feeder.
To disrupt this food source, switch to specialty bird feeders that prevent doves from perching or accessing the seed ports. Alternatively, change the seed mix to options they find less appealing, such as thistle or safflower seeds, which are preferred by smaller songbirds. Consistent clean-up of all spilled seed and grain on the ground is necessary to eliminate their preferred feeding zone and discourage ground foraging.
Water sources must also be managed, as doves require frequent drinking, particularly in warmer weather. Shallow, standing water sources like bird baths, which doves prefer to be only about three to four inches deep, should be drained or covered. Even minor leaks from outdoor spigots or shallow puddles can provide enough accessible water to attract a flock.
Before the nesting season, remove potential nesting materials such as loose twigs, pine needles, or debris from flat surfaces. Mourning doves often choose flat ledges, window sills, or the tops of hanging baskets for nesting. Blocking access to these flat spots before they begin construction will prevent them from establishing a territory.
Implementing Physical Exclusion Methods
Physical exclusion methods directly prevent doves from landing or nesting in specific areas. These barriers work by making a surface unusable rather than attempting to frighten the birds away. Low-profile bird spikes, which are blunt and do not cause injury, can be installed along narrow ledges, window sills, balcony railings, and eaves.
The spikes prevent the doves from comfortably perching or roosting on the flat surfaces they favor, forcing them to seek resting spots elsewhere. Similarly, specialized wires or tensioned monofilament lines can be strung tightly a few inches above ledges to disrupt the birds’ ability to land. This makes the approach awkward and unstable, causing the doves to fly past the area.
For larger areas, such as under eaves, rafters, or in the corners of porches, fine-mesh bird netting provides a complete physical block. The netting must be installed tautly and securely from the structure to the ground or wall, ensuring there are no gaps that allow birds to squeeze through. A mesh size of 3/4 inch is sufficient to exclude doves from the protected space.
For structures with flat ledges, a more permanent modification involves installing “slanting” boards or sheet metal. These materials are fixed at a steep angle, ideally 45 degrees or greater, to eliminate any horizontal surface where a dove could land, perch, or attempt to build its nest. By removing the physical convenience of the site, these exclusion methods offer a lasting deterrent.
Using Sensory and Visual Scare Tactics
Sensory and visual scare tactics capitalize on the doves’ natural avoidance of perceived danger or startling movement, creating an unsettling environment. Reflective materials, such as holographic tape, Mylar balloons, or old compact discs, can be hung in areas where doves congregate.
The irregular movement and flashing light produced by these objects disorient the doves and mimic the sudden movements of a predator. For maximum effect, these visual deterrents should be placed where they catch the sun and can be easily seen from potential landing spots. Position them near nesting sites or feeding areas.
Motion-activated devices, such as sprinklers or air blasters, provide a sudden, unexpected stimulus when a dove enters the protected zone. The abrupt burst of water or air is a harmless but highly effective way to startle the birds, which quickly teaches them to avoid the area. These devices are particularly useful for protecting ground-level areas like gardens or lawns.
Predator decoys, such as statues of owls or snakes, can also be employed to exploit the doves’ natural fear response. However, doves are intelligent and will quickly realize a static object poses no threat, leading to rapid habituation. To maintain the illusion of danger, the decoys must be moved to a new location every few days, ensuring the perceived threat remains unpredictable.