February 13, 2022: Mourning Doves
I was out for a walk yesterday, enjoying the nice, warmer weather. As I stepped off my porch, I heard the quiet “coo” of a Mourning Dove–the first coo of the upcoming spring migration and breeding season. A holly tree close by provides a lovely nesting area and an opportunity for me to observe their activities.
After doing some research, I discovered that the male is responsible for the cooing, a mournful love song to attract a mate. Doves mate for life, and the male brings twigs and sticks to the female for nest building. The female lays two eggs (apparently only two), and both parents incubate, feed, and protect the young.
They gather in small flocks and can easily be seen foraging for seeds under a bird feeder. Another distinctive sound of the Mourning Dove is the “whistle” you hear when they fly. This sound is produced by air rushing through specialized wing feathers and serves as an early warning mechanism for the flocks if danger is sensed.
I hope some of you stop and listen to the cooing and wooing of our resident Mourning Doves!
Happy Birding!