Mourning Dove Nesting (Behavior, Eggs, Location + FAQs)

Mourning doves are widely distributed throughout North America, appearing as far north as southern Canada during the breeding season and migrating to southern Mexico during the winter. Between these ranges, the pigeon is mainly inhabited year-round.

Because mourning doves vary widely in their range, they also have a range of suitable nesting habitats. These birds are found in mixed forests in the east, grassland and scrub habitats in the center and southwest, and in the evergreen-dominated west. Nest locations are usually in trees, shrubs, ledges or on the ground.

These delightful backyard birds might even be nesting somewhere near you. If you’re interested in learning more about where and when mourning doves nest and how to attract a pair to your backyard, keep reading!

Mourning pigeon nest with squabs (chicks) inside

Where do mourning doves nest?

Mourning doves nest in trees, shrubs, vines, ledges, and occasionally on the ground (when suitable trees and shrubs are not available). The nests can be built in a variety of ways, from the ground to more than 200 feet in the air.

Pigeons seem to prefer to nest under the cover of conifers during the early nesting season. However, once defoliation occurs, they are likely to choose trees such as oaks and cottonwoods as nesting sites.

Due to the widespread distribution of mourning doves, their habitat and nesting site preferences vary widely. In general, though, their primary nesting habitats include woodland or meadow-fringe ecosystems. They do not nest in dense inland forests. It is also common for these birds to nest in man-made structures, including abandoned buildings, gutters and fixtures.

mourning dove nest

What does a mourning dove’s nest look like?

The Mourning Dove’s Nest is nothing special. They are usually a simple bowl-shaped platform of small branches arranged rather fragilely on the bend or ledge of the tree. Pigeons may also build on top of another bird’s abandoned nest or directly on the ground.

What time of year do mourning doves nest?

The time of year that a pair of mourning doves nest depends on the region in which they live. In warmer climates, the nesting season usually begins in late February or early March and runs through October. In colder northern climates, the season is often delayed by a month or two.

Mourning dove nested in an aloe vera cactus

How long do mourning doves nest?

Mourning dove nesting season generally occurs between early spring and mid-autumn (March to October). During this period, a pair may have five or six clutches. From hatching to when the young leave the nest, it takes about a month for a litter to grow.

How do mourning doves build their nests?

Nest building begins with the male mourning dove inspecting potential sites and using his nesting calls to attract females. Once she’s chosen a spot, the male gathers the materials while the female arranges them into a simple bowl. Nesting materials include twigs, pine needles and stems. Construction usually takes place in the morning and lasts two to four days.

A full nest is rather fragile, but it functions to house eggs and young. Mourning doves often reuse old nests or nest sites. Sometimes, they even use the nests of other birds, including blue jays, robins and common tits.

Mourning doves gathering nesting material

When do mourning doves leave the nest?

Young birds usually leave the nest about fifteen days after hatching. For the first week or two, the chicks will stay near the nest and be fed by their parents.

During the first twelve to fifteen days, the female is responsible for most of the feeding. After this time, the males take over most of the feeding duties, while the females start reclaiming nests for the next batch.

How many litters do mourning doves have?

On average, mourning doves raise two to three broods each nesting season. In warmer climates, these birds raise broods of five or six. A clutch usually only has two eggs.

It’s not uncommon for something to happen immediately after spawning. When this happens, the female mourning dove can lay eggs again in less than a week. On the other hand, if something happens to the chicks during the brooding period, the female may take two to three weeks to clean the nest and relay.

A breeding pair of mourning pigeons

Do mourning doves nest in the same place every year?

Mourning doves will often reuse the same nest if they have raised successful young there. These birds have been known to return to a successful site each year and may raise as many as five broods in the same nest in one year.

What do mourning dove eggs look like?

Mourning dove eggs are pure white with no markings. They are usually oval in shape, 2.6 to 3.0 cm long and 2.1 to 2.3 cm wide.

Two mourning dove eggs in nest

In what month do mourning doves lay eggs?

In warm climates, mourning doves can start laying eggs as early as March. In cooler regions, females may not lay their first eggs until April or May. The nesting season for these pigeons lasts until October.

Do mourning pigeons use nest boxes?

Mourning pigeons will use platform nest boxes. You can place the platform in a heavily vegetated area—where there are trees, shrubs, or hanging plants that can provide cover. Although pigeons will occasionally nest on the ground, it’s a good idea to place your nest box at least 10 to 15 feet in the air to better protect the pigeons and their eggs from predators.

Mourning dove and chicks in nest

Where do mourning doves nest at night?

Usually, mourning doves roost at night among dense bushes or evergreens. In winter, they congregate in roosts. Pigeons generally do not sleep on nests unless the hens are brooding. Throughout the nine to ten day brooding period, the females remain in the den at night while the males roost nearby.

Are mourning doves nesting in the backyard?

Mourning doves usually nest in backyards. They may use a variety of sites for their nests, including trees, bushes, gutters and overhangs of houses, as well as abandoned equipment (immobile vehicles or farm equipment).