He coos to attract a female and performs a nuptial flight in a large oval pattern. Dove nests are built of sticks, with little if any lining material. Eggs may be visible from the ground through the loosely woven twigs, but the nests are surprisingly strong for their frail appearance. Two or three days after the nest is finished, the female lays her first egg. A second egg comes two days later, and incubation begins at once.
Eggs are oval to elliptical, glossy, white and unmarked.
After 14-15 days, eggs hatch. Gradually, seeds begin to compose the bulk of the developing squabs' diet. Weather can be an important mortality factor. Nest predators include blue jays, starlings, crows, squirrels, snakes, house cats and others. Adults are preyed on by hawks and owls.