Mourning doves, found throughout North America, have a gentle nature and pleasant cooing song to match. Since these small songbirds are comfortable around people, they are easy to attract to any backyard. They are monogamous throughout the breeding season, and according to Birds of North America, mourning doves according to some research, may pair for life. Attracting mourning doves by providing them one of several types of attractive birdhouses is simple to do. These birds are so easy to please that the term birdhouse is used loosely. Mourning doves do not like to be enclosed while nesting–in fact, they do not like to fuss too much about their nest structure at all. A soft spot with a few sticks is a fancy birdhouse for a mourning dove.
Lynn Anders has more than 15 years of professional experience working as a zookeeper, wildlife/environmental/conservation educator and in nonprofit pet rescue. Writing since 2007, her work has appeared on various websites, covering pet-related, environmental, financial and parenting topics. Anders has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and biology from California State University, Sacramento.
With over 15 years of experience, Lynn Anders has worked in nonprofit pet rescue, as well as as a zookeeper and an educator for wildlife, the environment, and conservation. Since 2007, she has written on a variety of websites about pet-related, environmental, financial, and parenting subjects. Anders graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and environmental studies.
Found all over North America, mourning doves are peaceful creatures with a soothing cooing call. These tiny songbirds are easy to draw to any backyard because they feel at ease in human company. Mourning doves are monogamous during the breeding season and, according to “Birds of North America,” some research suggests they may pair for life. It’s easy to draw mourning doves by offering them a variety of eye-catching birdhouses. The word “birdhouse” is used figuratively because these birds are so amiable. When it comes to their nesting environment, mourning doves are not fond of being confined; in fact, they prefer not to worry too much about the design of their nest. For a mourning dove, a soft spot with a few sticks serves as a fancy birdhouse.
There are almost 450 million doves that soar over America, so your chances of attracting one to a tree close to you are quite good. Although doves aren’t big fans of traditional birdhouses, you can make a basic nest for these avian neighbors that will last a lifetime out of materials you can find in your backyard. Both naturally occurring and captive-bred doves favor a shallow nest. The cone is useful for more than just ice cream; it can be used as a template to build a nest that will attract a family of doves.
To attract these beautiful birds to your yard, you must have a dove-friendly nest, but location is just as crucial. The nest should be at least five feet above the ground in order to keep predators from endangering the dove family. A repurposed coat hanger can be used to secure the container nest to a branch with appropriate foliage cover, while fasteners from a nearby hardware store can be used to attach the cone nest directly to a tree in a shaded spot. Since doves typically return to their nests to raise multiple offspring, providing a safe space for them to do so can bring them joy every year.
A dove can build a great foundation for her nest in a cone-style nest, which is much more secure than any flimsy home a bird might make for herself. The first piece of the cone nest puzzle is a 12-inch circle cut out of wire screen with a 4-inch pie slice cut out of it. After completing this step, form the large piece of screen into a cone and use floral wire or twist ties to secure the joints. These materials can cut a human hand, so proceed with extreme caution when shaping your cone. Make sure there are no sharp edges inside the cone because they can be just as dangerous to the dove. A newly arrived dove family can be protected from harm by using wrapped wire to close the cone.
Doves can also make good use of container nests; a milk jug with an opening big enough for a dove to enter and exit can serve as an appropriate base. When placing the jug outside, make sure it is securely fastened and that the entryway is free of any sharp edges. The dove can easily construct her own nest using the foundation you give her, but if you want to make something that’s ready to move into, the dove can make her final product out of thin, 4 to 5 inch-long twigs, pine needles, small pieces of paper or cotton, and straw.
The dove is a popular sight for bird enthusiasts due to its graceful appearance and peaceful coo, and lovers can learn from their unwavering dedication to their partners. With the correct construction, made of materials that are friendly to doves, and a thoughtful placement that any dove would be proud to call home, you can easily encourage these lovely birds to build their nest close to your property.
FAQ
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