The Heartbreak and Resilience of Mourning Doves: What Happens When They Lose a Mate?
The loss of a partner is a profound experience, not just for humans but for many species in the animal kingdom. Among these creatures, the mourning dove, known for its gentle nature and mournful coo, forms strong pair bonds that often last a lifetime. When a mourning dove loses its mate, it undergoes a period of noticeable change, reflecting the depth of their connection.
The immediate aftermath of a mate’s death for a mourning dove involves a period of what appears to be grief. The surviving dove may exhibit several behaviors suggesting distress. It may linger near the place where its mate died, a behavior that seems to indicate searching or mourning. It is not unusual to see a solitary dove appearing less active, or listless, with drooping posture and less vibrant plumage. While we must be cautious about attributing human emotions to animals, the behavior of a bereaved mourning dove suggests a tangible sense of loss.
However, mourning doves are also incredibly resilient creatures. While they mourn, they don’t remain in a state of perpetual sorrow. After a period of adjustment, the surviving dove will begin to move on and seek a new mate. This is crucial for their survival and the continuation of their species. The monogamous nature of mourning doves doesn’t mean they are bound to isolation after loss; it means they form deep bonds but are also biologically driven to reproduce. The drive to reproduce typically wins out and the mourning dove will look for another partner. This process may take some time, especially if the loss occurred during the nesting season.
Understanding Mourning Dove Mating and Loss
Lifelong Bonds, but Not Always
The article above notes that mourning doves typically mate for life, this is true in the context of a breeding season and the following. The reality, however, is a bit nuanced. While they are monogamous within a breeding season and often stay together for multiple seasons, if one mate dies, the survivor will eventually seek a new partner. This isn’t a betrayal of the previous bond but a biological imperative to continue the species. This drive is especially heightened because of the high mortality rates within the species.
The Mourning Process
The process of finding a new mate after the loss can be seen as part of the mourning process itself. Initially, the dove will experience a period of quietness, reduced activity, and may even refrain from typical behaviors like preening. They may linger and search for their lost mate. These behaviors are crucial to understanding that they are not simply creatures following instincts but have the capacity to experience distress. Once they find a new mate the process of preening and cooing will begin again.
The Drive to Reproduce
Mourning doves have a high annual mortality rate, as much as 60-70%. This rate makes the need to breed quickly and often all the more pressing. Mourning doves may have five or six broods of baby doves in one season. Because of this, the need to find a new mate after the loss is something of a biological imperative. This helps ensure that the population of mourning doves can recover from the high loss rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mourning Doves and Loss
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further insight into the lives of mourning doves, particularly regarding mate loss and related behaviors:
Do Mourning Doves Grieve?
While we cannot definitively say they grieve in the same way humans do, mourning doves show behaviors consistent with distress and mourning after losing a mate. They may become less active, and show a drooping posture, which may suggest a feeling of loss.
How Long Do Mourning Doves Mourn?
There is no set time. The duration of their mourning behavior varies, depending on the individual bird and the circumstances. However, the impulse to seek a new partner usually takes over after a short period of apparent sadness.
Will a Mourning Dove Stay Alone After Losing a Mate?
No, while they may initially be solitary, mourning doves will eventually seek a new mate to reproduce, though this may take longer if the death occurs mid-nesting season.
Do Mourning Doves Abandon Their Young If a Mate Dies?
While they may be more vulnerable, typically, the surviving parent will continue to care for the young. However, sometimes doves do abandon their young for various reasons.
What Should You Do if You Find an Abandoned Baby Dove?
If you find a young, abandoned dove, it’s best to bring it indoors, keep it warm in a heated box, and hand-feed it. Take caution as young doves are prone to dying of fright, so handle them with care.
What Is the Lifespan of a Mourning Dove?
The average lifespan of a wild mourning dove is about 2 to 4 years, though some can live up to 10-15 years. Domestic doves can live much longer, even as long as 20 years.
Why Do Mourning Doves Have Such a High Mortality Rate?
Mourning doves have a high mortality rate due to a combination of natural predators, disease, weather, and accidents. These non-hunting related factors account for 4-5 times the number of deaths compared to hunting.
How Often Do Mourning Doves Reproduce?
Mourning doves can have up to five or six broods in a single season, with each clutch containing two eggs.
When Is Mourning Dove Breeding Season?
The peak breeding season is typically April to July, though they may breed as late as October in some areas.
What Do Baby Mourning Doves Eat?
Baby mourning doves initially eat “crop milk,” a substance produced by both parents, and later transition to seeds.
How Long Do Baby Doves Stay in the Nest?
Baby doves usually leave the nest at around two weeks old but may stay nearby for a while as they learn to fly and find food.
Do Mourning Doves Reuse Nests?
Yes, doves have been known to reuse the same nest for multiple sets of eggs in a single season.
What Are the Main Predators of Mourning Doves?
Mourning doves face threats from predators such as raccoons, hawks, owls, squirrels, snakes, cats, and dogs.
Are Mourning Doves Afraid of Humans?
Mourning doves are often wary around humans and may easily spook, which can lead to window collisions.
What Should You Do if You Find a Dead Dove?
If you find a dead wild bird, especially if it’s part of a large die-off, contact your state wildlife agency or state health department. Report significant wild bird die-offs to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Do not touch a dead bird, as it can carry disease and could attract predators.
In conclusion, while mourning doves form strong bonds and appear to mourn their losses, they possess a remarkable resilience. Their ability to find new partners and continue breeding is crucial to the survival of their species. Understanding these delicate aspects of their lives helps us appreciate the complexity and beauty of the natural world.