Doves are strictly ground feeders that do not damage sunflower fields. The real culprits are the blackbirds that descend on the fields. These pests land right on the seed heads, attacking the protein-rich seeds at the source. Countless tons of sunflowers are eaten by blackbirds. In addition, blackbirds ruin seeds that are scattered across the ground in their haste to gorge themselves.
Doves simply clean up the seeds blackbirds scatter onto the ground.
Hunting pressure directed at doves helps to drive out the endless flocks of hungry blackbirds. The annual loss to the sunflower crop runs into the millions of dollars. In extreme cases farmers are allowed to shoot the blackbirds in order to save their crops. Sunflowers are planted in rows like corn, though in some cases the seed is broadcast. Not surprisingly, walking and hunting is much easier in fields that are planted in rows.