Mourning Dove eats from Droll Yankee Flipper (1 Viewer)

[cadillactaste]

I always assumed Mourning Doves were ground feeders or platform feeders...until the other day.

We purchased this Droll Yankee Flipper...though after the squirrels went for a ride...they chose NOT to mess with it any more. Now that the squirrels are leaving the feeder alone. [Other than eating what's dropped to the ground] I'm getting more birds feeding in my backyard. Had an issue with raccoons...so I purchased the Droll Yankee shepherd's hook that locks the feeder to the pole and I've not had a raccoon steal the feeder again. Waking to finding my feeder gone...FLIPPED me out! It was a good 20 ft. from the pole where they stole it...lid up and all the feed eaten.

But back to my original post header...I was unaware that these mourning doves ate from feeders such as the one I have in the backyard. And they're taking turns...not sure if two may have attempted to eat and both went for a ride...but they seem patiently waiting for the other to fly off...

 

[Lisa W]

It is strange to see, our Morning and White-winged doves will both eat from the feeder.

 

[cadillactaste]

Thanks Lisa...and it is strange to see...they also eat from the thistle feeder. Which has yet even a smaller base in my opinion...I think awhile back...someone told me they were ground and platform feeders. Not sure if it was here...or I read it in a magazine or something. But it's crazy to see them. Curious if two landed if it would set the motor off and send them spinning...lol~

 

[cadillactaste]

Must of had me a hefty mourning dove...for as I watched one attempt to perch the other day...he went for a ride and was spun off. So I turned off the motorized spinner. With the yard word we're doing...putting in a back patio. Or...to many mourning doves and other birds around. The squirrels are GONE! We even have a feeder for them and the only thing eating the corn off the bungee feeder is raccoon. I don't believe it's the raccoon scent keeping them out of the yard...due to they shared with the raccoon in the past. Though the squirrels after being flung from the bird feeder gave up and leave it be. Thus...I do not mind the motor being turned off for the mourning birds.

 

[Lisa W]

Was he flung far? And you are right, Mourning and White-winged Doves are usually seen on the ground.

 

[cadillactaste]

Was he flung far? And you are right, Mourning and White-winged Doves are usually seen on the ground.

No luckily...he just kept flapping and finally got unstuck, he was caught and spun half way around... but not really flung far. He was able to catch his bearings and fly to the ground...but I felt HORRIBLE! Turned that darn thing off! Squirrels are smart to it anyways and no longer mess with it.

Actually I learned it's squirrel season...wonder if that's why I'm only feeding the raccoon at night from the bungee feeder we have out for the squirrels. I still put corn out each morning just in case a squirrel happens by...but nothing touches it. Then the raccoon come out to feast at night...But have seen no squirrels in the yard. Though we're also putting in a flagstone patio and stone retaining wall...so maybe the mess is keeping them away...

Considering a platform feeder for them...but they visit the thistle feeder and the Yankee Flipper...So if I purchased a platform feeder would they then still visit the other feeders? If so...is it a waist of money for a platform is what I'm curious about.

 

[Lisa W]

Don't know, maybe someone will come along that does.

 

[etudiant]

Hi cadillactaste,
Morning Doves will go wherever the pickings are easiest, so if you build them a platform feeder, they will prefer that, but they will happily go elsewhere if the need arises.
I found them to be quite adaptable in their tastes. They even eat safflower seeds, which usually are only eaten by Cardinals. They do sort of monopolize feeders, just sitting there until a hunger pang strikes again, unlike most other birds that eat and then scoot, leaving the place open for the next guest.

 

[cadillactaste]

Hi cadillactaste,
Morning Doves will go wherever the pickings are easiest, so if you build them a platform feeder, they will prefer that, but they will happily go elsewhere if the need arises.
I found them to be quite adaptable in their tastes. They even eat safflower seeds, which usually are only eaten by Cardinals. They do sort of monopolize feeders, just sitting there until a hunger pang strikes again, unlike most other birds that eat and then scoot, leaving the place open for the next guest.

Then once the yard is in...I will look to get a platform feeder. Though I've so many mourning doves...that they seem to take turns at the feeder. When one flies in for a landing. I've seen a few shoo away another mourning dove yet let others eat. Strange behavior...but maybe not so. Still new at the mourning dove eating from the feeder.

 

[cadillactaste]

Today I've one on the feeder, pushing out feed to the 7 mourning doves below. Most of the time they shoo some off. So I'm surprised by the sharing of the feeder today. Most to date that I've noticed...at one time eating.

 

[eloader]

I have a feral pigeon in my garden that has also learnt how to use my seed feeder by balancing on one of the perches and pecking out of the next hole up. Unfortunately it's constant flapping scares off all my other birds!