Mourning Dove Preferred Food Sources in September: A Regional Guide

Mourning doves, one of the most widespread and recognizable bird species in North America, are known for their distinctive cooing calls and swift, agile flight. As the seasons change, so do their dietary preferences, particularly in September, when they prepare for migration or endure varying weather conditions across different regions. Understanding these preferences can be invaluable for bird watchers, hunters, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. In this post, we will explore the primary food sources mourning doves prefer in September, region by region.

1. Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

In the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, where cooler temperatures start setting in by September, mourning doves often shift to feeding on available grains and seeds. The preferred food sources in these areas typically include:

• Wild Grasses and Weeds: Seeds from foxtail, crabgrass, and barnyard grass are particularly favored. Doves are often seen in fields and roadsides where these plants grow abundantly.
• Small Grains: Corn, wheat, and oats are significant food sources, especially in fields post-harvest. Farmers' fields provide ample food for doves preparing for migration.
• Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower fields and their edges are highly attractive to mourning doves. The seeds provide a rich source of energy as doves fatten up for migration.

2. Midwest

The Midwest, with its vast agricultural landscape, offers an abundant food supply for mourning doves in September. The primary food sources in this region include:

• Waste Grains: Post-harvest fields of corn, soybeans, and millet provide ample grain on the ground, which is easy for doves to forage.
• Native and Cultivated Grasses: Mourning doves in the Midwest also feed on seeds from ragweed, pigweed, and foxtail. These weeds thrive in disturbed areas like crop fields and roadside edges.
• Sunflower Fields: Similar to the Northeast, sunflower seeds are a favorite. Many hunters specifically target sunflower fields as prime dove hunting grounds during the September season.

3. Southeast

The warm climate in the Southeast supports a different set of food sources for mourning doves in September:

• Sorghum and Millet: These crops are commonly grown in the Southeast and provide an excellent food source for doves. Fields planted with these grains are prime locations for finding doves.
• Native Weed Seeds: Doves often feed on seeds from native plants such as pokeweed, ragweed, and partridge pea. These seeds are available in abundance along field edges, meadows, and fallow land.
• Pine Seeds: In areas with pine forests, mourning doves will feed on pine seeds, which offer a unique food source compared to other regions.

4. Southwest

In the arid Southwest, mourning doves' feeding habits are influenced by the region's unique environment:

• Native Grasses and Desert Plants: Seeds from native grasses such as buffalo grass, lovegrass, and seeds from desert plants like mesquite are critical food sources.
• Cultivated Crops: Fields of sunflower, sorghum, and millet offer essential nourishment for doves, especially in areas where water is scarce.
• Cactus Fruits and Seeds: In some parts of the desert, doves will feed on the seeds and fruits of cacti, such as prickly pear.

5. West Coast

The diverse habitats of the West Coast, ranging from coastal plains to mountainous regions, offer a variety of food sources for mourning doves:

• Grains and Small Seeds: In agricultural areas of California, mourning doves rely on waste grains from rice, barley, and wheat fields.
• Native Plants: Doves feed on seeds from native plants like mustard, clover, and filaree.
• Berries and Fruits: In some coastal areas, mourning doves might consume berries and fruits from shrubs, such as elderberry and wild grape.

6. Northern Plains and Rockies

In the Northern Plains and Rockies, mourning doves take advantage of open fields and the variety of food sources found in these areas:

• Small Grains: Waste grains from harvested wheat, barley, and oats are essential food sources for doves in these regions.
• Grass and Weed Seeds: Seeds from ragweed, sunflower, and goathead (puncturevine) are commonly consumed by doves.
• Fruit and Berries: In areas with abundant wild fruits, mourning doves may also feed on juniper berries and chokecherries, especially as they prepare for migration.

Conclusion

September is a crucial time for mourning doves as they prepare for migration or settle into their winter habitats. Across different regions, these birds adapt their diets to the available food sources, ranging from cultivated grains to native weed seeds and fruits. By understanding these regional food preferences, bird enthusiasts, conservationists, and hunters can better appreciate the habits and habitats of mourning doves during this transitional period.

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