Species Profile
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Mourning Dove
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Rain Dove, Turtle Dove
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Appearance
The Mourning Dove is a slender, medium-sized bird with a small, rounded head and a long, tapered tail. Its plumage is primarily soft gray-brown, with black spots on the wings and pinkish-gray underparts. The tail features white edges and a pointed tip.
Both sexes look similar, with males slightly larger and more colorful, sometimes with a more blueish crown. Juveniles resemble adults but have a scaly appearance due to pale feather edges. There are no significant seasonal plumage changes.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Pink
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Mourning Doves are widely distributed across North and Central America, from southern Canada to Panama. They inhabit a variety of open and semi-open environments, including urban areas, farmlands, grasslands, and open woodlands.
In the United States, they are year-round residents in most areas, with northern populations migrating south for winter. They are common in suburban and rural areas throughout the country, adapting well to human-modified landscapes.
Distribution
Diet
Mourning Doves primarily feed on seeds, which make up about 99% of their diet. They consume a variety of seeds from grasses, weeds, and cultivated grains, including sunflowers, corn and wheat.
These birds can quickly fill their crop with seeds, often ingesting up to 20% of their body weight in a single feeding session.
Behaviour
Mourning Doves are often seen foraging on the ground, pecking for seeds with quick head movements. They are strong fliers, capable of swift, direct flight with occasional sharp turns.
These birds are typically found in pairs or small flocks, and they often gather at bird feeders or water sources.
Calls & Sounds
The Mourning Dove's call is a distinctive, soft, drawn-out cooing sound often described as "oo-AH-oo-oo-oo." or "coo-ing". This melancholic call gives the species its common name. Males also produce a loud, whirring sound with their wings during courtship flights.
Nesting & Breeding
Mourning Doves form monogamous pairs that often stay together for multiple breeding seasons. Their breeding period varies by location but generally occurs from spring to fall in North America.
Nests are simple platforms of twigs, typically built in trees or on man-made structures. Females usually lay two white eggs per clutch. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 14 days.
Nestlings are altricial and develop rapidly, fledging after about 12-14 days. Parents continue to care for fledglings for up to two weeks after they leave the nest. Mourning Doves can produce multiple broods in a single season.
Conservation
While Mourning Doves are currently listed as Least Concern, they face threats from habitat loss and hunting pressure in some areas.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable habitats and monitoring population trends to ensure their continued abundance.
Elevation
Sea level to 2,500 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Mourning Doves face predation from various animals, including hawks, falcons, owls, cats, and snakes. Ground-nesting doves are particularly vulnerable to mammalian predators.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Mourning Doves on telephone wires, fence posts, or open ground
- Listen for their distinctive cooing call, especially in the early morning
- Observe their feeding behavior at backyard bird feeders
- Watch for their swift, direct flight pattern with whistling wingbeats
Did You Know?
- Mourning Doves can drink water without lifting their head, unlike most birds.
- They have the ability to store seeds in an enlarged crop, allowing them to eat large quantities quickly.
- Mourning Doves are one of the most widely hunted game birds in North America.
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