When the dove I watch is eating, it pecks at its seeds and grinds them with its teeth. It also has a tub of bird gravel. On of the interns in the Biology Lab told me when they feed on it, it helps them digest. The dove, when it bathes, will dunk its beak in the bowl of water and will use the beak to nibble through its feather. It has a separate tub of water from which it drinks.
Doves can have difficulties in feeding.
But the chicks only have to insert their beak into their mother's mouth. The mother then give a secretion, also known as regurgitation, though some what different, from the parent's threat pouch, a necessity as growing up. When the bird has grown, they crunch their own seeds. These birds don't have to be fed often because they put in such large quantities. Though these doves' species is in danger, because of legalities, they show much beauty and strength in the bird family.