Mourning Dove

By Kieran

 The Genius of the Clumsy Mourning Dove


 
Original artwork and ode to the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, celebrating the counterintuitive nesting strategy that turns out to be quite ingenious


At first blush, the nests of mourning doves seem reckless, an epic disaster! 
Built carelessly with just a few twigs in three or four days, if not fasteršŸ˜³

An architect's nightmare, this minimalist approach is actually quite ingenious!
The time and energy the Golden Eagle wastes on a nest for one egg is strenuous

The dove cleverly uses that time to lay a pair of eggs that hatch in a fortnight.
If disaster strikes, as it may, they simply repeat the cycle rather than sit tight.

The squabs are fed with crop milk from the parents, thus don't rely on grubs or insects
While most birds lay only one set of eggs each year, doves often lay upto six sets.

In a game of chance, this brilliant strategy of many eggs yields a treasure trove.
Perfection is overrated, mourn the endangered Golden Eagle, salute the clumsy dove

Comments

Anonymous said…
Interesting Kieran. I was surprised to hear that they make milk - so looked it up!! Insightful and goes to show how much diversity exists in every species (WhatsApp comment from a college friend on a alumni chat group)
March 23, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Kieran said…
True, Arjun. There are so many interesting evolutionary strategies
Mourning doves are ubiquitous here in North America, they build nests everywhere in trees, rooftops, rain gutters, AC vents … and are not dependent on the seasonal availability of food to spawn.
March 23, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Anonymous said…
Cute pair of doves. (WhatsApp comment from an appreciative sister in law on a family chat group)
March 23, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Kieran said…
I had fun using Gemini AI to understand how to blend the soft brown hue for the plumage.
March 23, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Anonymous said…
Despite being considered pests by many, they are one of the most success it’s that have thrived in the face of urbanization and enormous habitat loss. (WhatsApp comment from another college friend on the same chat group)
March 23, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Kieran said…
Sadly being native and found in large numbers - they are the first victims of the annual hunting season in the US. But thanks to their ability to reproduce abundantly there are an estimated 150-200 million (if not more) doves in the US
March 23, 2026 at 6:52 PM
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