Do mourning doves use birdhouses?
A flimsy platform of twigs on a branch, gutter or ledge.
What should you provide instead of a birdhouse?
A shallow wire nest cone or a small open platform under an eave is sometimes accepted. An enclosed box is not.
| Instead of a box | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Dense shrubs and small trees | Open-cup nests need cover from predators and weather |
| Natural nesting material in spring | Short natural fibres and plant down, never dryer lint or long string |
| A reliable feeder | Keeps adults in the area through the nesting season |
| A shallow bird bath | Water within sight of cover is a year-round draw |
Feeders for mourning doves
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
Nest box dimensions for other species
Eastern Bluebird · Western Bluebird · Mountain Bluebird · Tree Swallow · Violet-green Swallow · Purple Martin · House Wren · Carolina Wren · Bewick's Wren · Black-capped Chickadee · Carolina Chickadee · Tufted Titmouse · White-breasted Nuthatch · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Red-headed Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Prothonotary Warbler · Great Crested Flycatcher · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Eastern Screech-Owl · American Kestrel · Barn Owl · Wood Duck · American Robin · Barn Swallow · Eastern Phoebe
Birds that do not use boxes: Cardinals · Blue Jays · Goldfinches · Hummingbirds · Orioles · House Finches
Get the nest box season checklist
When to put boxes up, when to clean them out, and the hole sizes for every common species, on one page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
Will mourning doves use a birdhouse?
No. A flimsy platform of twigs on a branch, gutter or ledge. Enclosed boxes sold as "mourning doves houses" are decorative. If one is occupied, it is usually by a wren, chickadee or house sparrow. A shallow wire nest cone or a small open platform under an eave is sometimes accepted. An enclosed box is not.
Where do mourning doves nest?
A flimsy platform of twigs on a branch, gutter or ledge. Nests are built by the birds themselves, usually in spring and summer, and are rarely reused. Leaving dense shrubs untrimmed during the nesting season protects them.
How can I help mourning doves nest in my yard?
A shallow wire nest cone or a small open platform under an eave is sometimes accepted. An enclosed box is not. Avoid pruning shrubs during the nesting season, keep cats indoors, and keep a feeder and a shallow bird bath going so adults stay in the area. Native plants that carry insects are what the young are actually fed.
What do mourning doves eat at feeders?
A low tray feeder with drainage keeps millet dry and gives doves room. Ground feeders that swallow seed whole. Need a tray or open ground, not a tube.
Which birds do use birdhouses?
Cavity nesters: bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, house and Carolina wrens, purple martins, some woodpeckers, great crested flycatchers, screech-owls, kestrels and wood ducks. Each needs a specific hole size and box depth, listed in the birdhouse dimensions chart. Robins and phoebes use open shelves instead of boxes.