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The Easy DIY That'll Draw Mourning Doves To Nest In Your Yard
By DEBBIE DEROMA
Since mourning doves won't nest in traditional birdhouses or nest boxes, here’s a simple DIY nesting basket you can make to encourage them to settle in your yard.
To construct your nesting basket, you’ll need a piece of ¼-inch metal hardware cloth, a pair of tin snips, and either galvanized steel wire or some zip ties.
While wearing gloves and safety glasses, cut the hardware cloth into a 12-by-12-inch square. Next, trim the square into a circle, then cut out a 2-inch-wide, pie-shaped wedge.
Form a cone by pulling the two cut edges toward each other until they overlap by about 1 inch. Then, tie them together with zip ties or wire, and fold back the cone’s sharp edges.
Attach the basket with wire or zip ties to a forked tree branch about 6-10 feet off the ground and in a partially shaded location that’s hidden by foliage but accessible to doves.
The nesting cycle lasts about 30 days. The female lays two eggs; both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the babies; and the young leave the nest at around 14 days.