Young can survive on their own 5 to 9 days after leaving the nest and most leave the nest area within 2 to 3 weeks of fledging. Past research indicates that mourning dove productivity is above the level needed to maintain the population in the Eastern Management Unit. Research indicates that mourning dove mortality is caused by a variety of factors including predators, disease, accidents, hunting and weather extremes. Preferred weed seeds include pigweed, foxtails, wild sunflower, and ragweed. Preferred grains include corn, sorghum and millet.
Insects make up a very small proportion of the dove diet.
Doves move an average of 2-8 miles for food. Two different segments of the migratory dove population use Wisconsin. One segment is composed of doves that breed in the state. In fall, these doves leave Wisconsin following one of two migration routes. One route leads to wintering grounds in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and the other to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.