Mourning dove eggs typically take about 14 days to hatch. Both the male and female share incubation duties, with the male usually incubating during the day and the female at night
. The incubation period can sometimes vary slightly due to factors like weather, but 14 days is the standard duration reported by multiple sources
. After hatching, the young doves, called squabs, remain in the nest for about 12 to 15 days before they are ready to leave and begin flying
. During incubation and after hatching, both parents feed the young with a nutritious substance called "pigeon milk" before gradually transitioning them to seeds
. In summary:
- Incubation period: approximately 14 days
- Both parents incubate eggs in shifts
- Young stay in nest about 12–15 days after hatching before fledging
This timeline from egg laying to fledging can be completed in about a month, and mourning doves often have multiple broods per year
