Michigan

Songbird Protection Coalition

Habitat of Generalists

The mourning dove is known as a broad generalist, habitat ranges far and wide and they are extremely adaptable to change. They successfully live in both urban and rural landscapes and do not suffer, as other wildlife species have, from habitat loss resulting from human activities.

Beneficial to man, doves are primarily seed eaters who feed on the ground. The seeds of pest weeds, waste grain, or other plant material make up about 99 percent of their diet. They do not cause damage to crops, are not over-populated and do not threaten or harm any other species.

Historically, it is often presumed when a species suffers population losses, it is from habitat-ralated issues. But habitat loss is not the cause of significant population declines of the mourning dove. Their habitat is everywhere...they'll even "hangout" in your backyard.