Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/15/2010

Question
I have seen a few websites that state doves live 1-2 yrs, and others that say 10-12. Wondered if you can tell me  if the huge variation is due to where the bird lives(ie if it lives in a game bird state.)  My dad has one that has built a nest on his patio in fla and he swares it is the same bird for the last 10 years.  I cant believe it, but now i am wondering if he is right? Also, they dont mate for life as we previously thought, just a breeding season or two?  Hey, thanks for the info-he has gotten quite attached to this girl over the years.

Answer
The discrepancy in the answers you have found is this: first year doves (hatched within the last year) live about 1.5 years on average. What this means is that 80-90% of doves hatched in a particular year die before they reach the age of two. Those that are lucky enough to make it past the age of two live 7-10 years or even more. Clearly there is geographic variation among geographical areas but since they are migratory birds, they past through many states and even countries, and are shot in many of them. But you are correct; doves in states that do not hunt them live considerably longer than in states that do.
It could be the same bird nesting on your dad's porch, but I seriously doubt it. The same nest site can be used by the birds each year but it most likely would be a new male or a new female or both new each year. I don't know how he could tell.
They do not mate for life - few birds do and even that is not for sure.