Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

From suburban gardens to farms and wilderness areas, the mourning dove is one of the most common and familiar birds in North America.

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Visual Identification

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.

Size

Length

23cm to 34cm

Wingspan

37cm to 45cm

Weight

86g to 170g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Mourning Dove can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Mourning Dove can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Mourning Dove can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Mourning Dove can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Mourning Dove can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Mourning Dove is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Mourning Dove. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons