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To keep their nests clean, parent Mourning Doves will eat nestling feces,
sometimes even prodding the nestlings to cause them to poop!
On hot rainy days, Mourning Doves may lean forward, hold up their wings,
and fluff themselves up allowing water to get into their feathers. In
a cold rain or if they don't want to get wet, they hold their heads high
and flatten their feathers and the water flows off.
Mourning Doves are hunted throughout most of their range, yet they remain
among the 10 most abundant birds in the United States.
During nest-building, the male collects sticks and brings them to the
female. He may stand on her back to give her the nest material. She takes
it and weaves the sticks into the nest under her.
Mourning Doves may lay up to five or six clutches of eggs in a single
year.
Mourning Doves rarely leave their eggs unattended. The male usually incubates
from mid-morning until late afternoon, and the female incubates at night.
To protect their nests, Mourning Doves will sometimes throw themselves
on the ground and flutter about as if seriously injured to distract nearby
intruders.
Mourning Doves have a black comma-shaped spot below and slighty behind
their eyes.
When Mourning Doves fly, their wings make a whistling noise. This is
especially noticeable at takeoff and landing.
Mourning Doves (and all of their relatives in the family Columbidae)
suck up water, using their beaks like straws. Most birds take a sip of
water and throw back their heads to let the water trickle down their throats.
If you can count you can help scientists learn more about doves in your
city!
- Go to Dove Detectives
to figure out how to join in the fun.
Read more about Mourning
Doves at All About Birds.
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