Mourning doves on birdbath

[midwesternhayfarmer]

I have a heated birdbath on my deck along with several feeders. Every winter, the doves sit on the edge with their tails immersed in the water. Do they gain body heat from the water when the water is warmer than the air temperature?? Had five doing it just before writing this post

 

[Industrial Toys]

I thought some birds drowned in your birdbath. Hence the mourning.

Some thoughtless people next door moved away and left a couple of doves in an old chicken shed. Can they fend for themselves? In a northern climate?

 

[Oaktree]

We had probably a half dozen mourning doves around our birdfeeder last winter (not on it, but on the ground eating the seeds the chickadees spilled). Those are the only kind of doves I've seen. I'm in northern N.H.
Haven't seen 'em yet this year, but with no snow there's probably plenty of food for them elsewhere.

 

[midwesternhayfarmer]

I thought some birds drowned in your birdbath. Hence the mourning.

Some thoughtless people next door moved away and left a couple of doves in an old chicken shed. Can they fend for themselves? In a northern climate?

They're here all winter in central Iowa. I confirmed that by searching mournind dove range map. Anywhere north of Iowa is considered summertime breeding area. Iowa and south considered year around. I imagine they can handle the weather here otherwise they would go south. I think some birds migrate just far enough for substancial food and water depending on the weather that year. Food and water and cover from the extreme weather and wind should be all that is required to survive.

I still would like to know why they hang their tails in the water. They do it even in below zero F. weather.