A mourning dove couple.

There's a reason why they're known as the bird of peace.

Doves instinctively look for a stable, sheltered place to nest.

I put a box under the overhang in front of my house and the doves built a nest in it.

The parent doves take turns sitting on the nest. Doves make very good parents. The eggs will hatch in two weeks, and the chicks will leave the nest in another two weeks.

Smile, little doves!

That's one small step for a dove, and one giant leap!

The fledgling doves remain hidden in the bushes for 1-2 weeks after leaving the nest. The parents continue to feed them during this time.

The doves made such good use of the box that I built them a permanent nesting box. Mourning doves will nest here from February through July of each year.