Patterns of Food Preferences in Mourning Doves

Abstract

Patterns of food preference in mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are not well-established, and the role of seed nutrient content in diet selection by mourning doves is poorly understood. We documented preferences of captive and wild (free-flying) mourning doves for cultivated and wild foods. Additionally, we evaluated relationships between food preferences and specific nutrients and minerals. Captive mourning doves foraged selectively; white proso millet, dove proso millet, and browntop millet were the first, second, and third most-preferred foods, respectively. Wild mourning doves also foraged selectively, although preferences were not as clear as in the captive setting. Food preferences did not vary seasonally. All nutrients varied among foods each year. Food selection was positively related to nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and negatively related to cellulose-lignin (C-L) levels in foods, although contents of these components did not completely explain mourning dove food selection. Seed physical characteristics, secondary compound levels, and/or metabolic efficiencies may have influenced food selection in our study. Managers should evaluate attractiveness of new foods to mourning doves based on relative NFE and C-L levels until the relationships of food attractiveness to seed physical characteristics, secondary defensive compounds, and metabolic efficiency are determined.