Doves are ground feeders.

It is true too. We have alot of Mourning Doves in our area also, so I try to make sure there is stuff on the ground for them. Of course, the other birds take care of them too. When they come to the feeder, our chickadee's in particular will pull out the safflower seeds and drop them because they don't like them. Then the doves will get under the feeder and eat them. Perfect harmony.

Well, only this year we have had a free spirit trying his luck at the feeder. It is so funny to see this battle ship body balancing on our small, swinging feeder, grasping that dainty perch and hanging on with all his might. He has gotten pretty good at it, too.

This is called learned behavior. He's learning.