Two or three twigs placed on horizontal tree branches often constitute a nest. In areas dominated by grasslands doves wll nest on the ground. Dove Habitat Requirements Food Habits and Water Holes Food and water generally are not limiting factors for mourning doves in Missouri. Harvesting of crops, such as corn and wheat, leaves behind waste grain, and is an important dove food source. Corn from the previous year's harvest is the primary food in spring.
Doves also eat waste wheat, sorghum, sunflower and rice after the summer harvest.
In the fall, seeds of foxtail, bristlegrass, ragweed, pigweed and other annual weeds are eaten. Crops and doves are compatible. The foot structure of the birds prevents them from clinging to upright stalks or canes, or eating the seeds that cling to them. Therefore, the birds cause little, if any, damage to agricultural crops. Their foot structure also makes them poorly adapted to scratching or digging, and food covered by dense top growth, crop stubble, or snow is not available to them.