I'm watching about 50 dove munch in deer corn in front of my feeder. This is after multiple single digit cold fronts with high winds have blown through. Am I ignorant of shouldn't they be south of the border by now?

No idea on the why, but we were just watching a flock of probably 100+ mourning doves on a recently mowed field to the north of us here in Bastrop yesterday. My guess would be that it was a fairly mild winter up until now, and these recent fronts have finally pushed them south. They are probably stopping anywhere there is good food along the way.

Winter birds. Happens every year. Just stragglers from the north.

This.

Ducks, doves and geese up here on the 45th parallel year-round. It's my understanding that they'll gladly suffer the temperatures if the available feed warrants it.

I have a Mourning Doves all winter long here in north Arkansas. We've been below 0 several nights this past week and they are still here.

Feeder.

Were there bands on their legs?

Guess I am ignorant. Just figured they headed south to avoid the cold. Didn't know they would stick around for good food.

Watchful Ag said:

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Feeder.

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You're surprised there are corn feeders for deer / game in Texas?

Notice he didn't say anything about hunting dove.

AgLA06 said:

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Watchful Ag said:

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Feeder.

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You're surprised there are corn feeders for deer / game in Texas?

Notice he didn't say anything about hunting dove.

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I never said anything about hunting either.

He asked why there were so many dove eating corn under his feeder. My answer was the corn they're eating is what's keeping them around.

Winter split is always better than fall.

That makes more sense than a 1 word answer with a imoji like there was something to investigate.

Yesterday said:

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Guess I am ignorant. Just figured they headed south to avoid the cold. Didn't know they would stick around for good food.

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I've always thought migratory birds head south as feed dictates, not necessarily to avoid cold.

cupofjoe04 said:

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Yesterday said:

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Guess I am ignorant. Just figured they headed south to avoid the cold. Didn't know they would stick around for good food.

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I've always thought migratory birds head south as feed dictates, not necessarily to avoid cold.

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initially it is light driven. Then it becomes food or with ducks frozen water that pushes them further south.

You sure they aren't Eurasian collared doves?

My apologies

Been hunting Lampasas the same weekend the last 5 years on the same weekend.

Last weekend I have never seen so many flocks of dove this time of year. It was like it was opening weekend.

Bird Poo said:

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It was like it was opening weekend.

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So, there were tons of birds there the day before, and zero the next morning?