Mourning Dove
Least ConcernZenaida macroura
Visual Identification
Mourning Dove
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
The Mourning Dove typically lives for 1 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 31.3 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Rain Dove, Turtle Dove
Family:
ColumbidaePredators
Mourning Doves face predation from various animals, including hawks, falcons, owls, cats, and snakes. Ground-nesting doves are particularly vulnerable to mammalian predators.
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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FAQs
Are mourning doves always in pairs?
Mourning doves are commonly seen in pairs during the breeding season. They will join up to form large flocks in the fall and at other times of the year, however.
Do mourning doves sleep on the ground?
Mourning doves usually roost in trees, bushes, and other elevated positions. They will sleep on the ground in very open environments, however.
References
- 2 4
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Zenaida macroura. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22690736A95215602.
View source - 3
report, 1994: Mirarchi, R.E., and Baskett, T.S. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura). In The Birds of North America, No. 117 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union.
- 1
website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1
View source