Doves are a familiar sight, recognized by their gentle cooing and often observed in pairs. Known for forming pair-bonds, many wonder about the implications if one partner is lost. Understanding these bonds provides insight into how a dove navigates such an event.
The Nature of Dove Pair-Bonds
Doves, particularly Mourning Doves, typically establish strong pair-bonds that often last for an entire breeding season or multiple years. While some suggest doves mate for life, they are more accurately described as seasonally monogamous, frequently re-pairing for subsequent breeding cycles but not always with the same partner. This bond is reinforced through behaviors like mutual preening, courtship feeding, and distinct vocalizations.
Within the pair, both male and female doves share responsibilities for raising their young. The male gathers nesting materials, presenting them to the female who constructs the nest. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, with the male often taking the daytime shift and the female incubating overnight. After hatching, both parents produce “crop milk” to feed their young. This shared parental investment makes the loss of a mate impactful for the surviving bird.
Immediate Responses to Loss
When a dove loses its mate, the immediate aftermath often involves observable distress and altered behavior. The surviving dove may appear disoriented, frequently returning to familiar nesting or feeding locations. Observers have noted instances where a surviving dove remained near its deceased mate, even attempting to interact with the body.
Vocalizations often change, with the bereaved dove cooing more frequently or emitting searching calls. The dove may also exhibit reduced activity, spending more time perched and inactive. A decrease in foraging or feeding behavior is common, alongside a reduction in routine preening. These behavioral shifts suggest a period of significant adjustment for the bird.
Long-Term Adjustments and Survival
Following initial distress, a dove gradually adjusts to its mate’s absence, a process that can vary in duration. The strong drive to reproduce often leads the surviving bird to seek a new partner. Re-pairing can take weeks to months, influenced by the time of year, the dove’s age, and mate availability. Older doves may sometimes remain solitary.
If a mate is lost during nesting, especially with eggs or young chicks, the outcome can be challenging. The surviving parent may abandon the nest or attempt to raise chicks alone, though their chances of survival are often reduced. Doves have a high annual mortality rate (50-65% for adults) and a short average lifespan of about 1.5 years. This high turnover contributes to their adaptability in forming new bonds quickly to continue breeding.