The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is one of the most widespread and recognizable birds across North America, often found foraging in yards and parks. Identifying their waste is important for both hygiene and observation. Like all avian species, Mourning Dove droppings are a combination of solid fecal matter and nitrogenous waste. Understanding the characteristics of these droppings provides a distinct signature that offers insight into the bird’s health, diet, and habits.
The Distinct Visual Profile of Mourning Dove Droppings
A healthy Mourning Dove dropping is small, firm, and compact, often comparable in size to a pea or slightly smaller. The waste product is a composite of two noticeable elements: the dark, solid feces and the bright white urates. The entire dropping often presents as a single round or oval shape, sometimes appearing tubular or coiled.
The fecal matter itself is usually a dark brown, green, or greenish-black color, which reflects the high amount of plant material consumed by the bird. This solid portion forms the central mass of the dropping. Surrounding this dark center is the most identifying feature: the urates.
Urates are the chalky, bright white or cream-colored paste that birds excrete instead of liquid urine, a metabolic adaptation that conserves water. This white substance is uric acid waste and often appears as a noticeable cap or a dollop on the surface of the darker fecal matter. An approximate size for a typical dropping is around 1/4 inch in diameter.
How Diet and Environment Change Appearance
Mourning Doves are primarily granivores, meaning their diet consists almost entirely of seeds and grains. This seed-heavy diet directly influences the consistency of their waste, resulting in the firm, well-formed droppings seen in healthy birds. The dark pigmentation of the fecal matter results from compounds present in the seeds they consume, such as millet and sunflower seeds.
The appearance can change with food and water intake. If the dove consumes a larger amount of water or has recently drunk, the dropping may contain more liquid urine, making the urates appear looser or more watery. Conversely, a very dry diet or a state of dehydration can produce smaller, harder, or more fragmented pellets. The ingestion of certain berries or fruits, which happens less frequently, can also temporarily introduce a reddish or yellowish tint to the fecal portion due to natural pigments.
Safe Cleanup and Health Precautions
Mourning Dove droppings should be handled with care, as with any bird waste, to mitigate potential health risks. The primary concern is the inhalation of fungal spores, such as those from Histoplasma capsulatum, which can cause the respiratory infection histoplasmosis. This risk is highest when accumulated droppings are dry and disturbed, causing the spores to become airborne.
To safely remove droppings, avoid dry-scraping or sweeping, which aerosolizes the material.
Cleanup Procedure
- The contaminated area should first be thoroughly wetted with a low-velocity mist spray to bind the dust and spores.
- A solution of one part bleach to ten parts water can be used to soak the droppings before cleanup, serving as a disinfectant.
- Anyone cleaning up bird waste should wear protective gear, including non-latex gloves.
- For large accumulations of dried droppings, a NIOSH-approved respirator with HEPA filters is recommended to prevent the inhalation of microscopic particles.
- Once the material is removed with a mop or rag, the waste should be double-bagged in sealed plastic bags and disposed of properly.