Last Friday many were looking toward the long holiday weekend to spend with family and friends while others were waiting on the opening day of dove season.
The Mourning dove is often mistaken as being called “mourning” for the chatter they produce at sunrise.
Early morning activity like this makes the dove a very popular game bird as well as a song bird.
White-winged doves, which have just established a name for themselves over the past several years, have distinctive white patches on the bird’s wing tips which helps sort it from the others.
Doves feed primarily on seed since they have very small beaks and are unable to crack hulls.
The majority of their seed diet comes from grasses, weeds and small grains such as wheat, millet and sunflowers.
These seeds are small enough to swallow whole and digest later by using muscles and rocky grit in the gizzard to help grind up the seed.
Doves will also build nests during the breeding season anywhere including your shrubs, gutters and even on lights.
These nests will only contain two eggs but the process can repeat itself a few times each year. To attract these birds to your yard, you will need to provide food and a place to shelter.
A mixture of small birdseed can be placed on a platform feeder with a clean water source nearby.
Mourning doves and White-winged doves are both enjoyable species for birdwatchers and sportsmen.
Homeowners can do their part during the nesting period by trying not to disturb nests.
Sportsmen can follow all laws and regulations set forth by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks to help ensure that the next generation will be able to enjoy the flight of the dove.
