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Mourning Dove


The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is 12 inches in length.  It is a brownish gray bird with a small, pinkish fawn colored head.  It has a black spot on the lower cheek, a pinkish iridescent patch on the neck, black spots on the upper inner wing, a long pointed tail, and white-tipped outer tail feathers.  Females look similar to the males.  Juveniles have a more scaly appearance on the upperparts and more spots on the wings.

The song of the Mourning Dove is a sad ooaah-woo-woo-woo.  The Mourning Dove makes a very distinctive sound, known as a wing whirr, with its wings when it takes flight.

The Mourning Dove is common and increasing.  It is considered a game species in 31 states.  It is a monogamous species and some research suggests that the pair may mate for life.  Like other pigeons and doves, the Mourning Dove drinks by sucking up water instead of tilting the head back to swallow.  They will come to feeders for sunflower seeds, millet, milo, and cracked corn.

Click here for additional information and  a range map.

Click on the player below for Mourning Dove vocalizations.

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  • Home
  • Animals
    • Birds >
      • Avian Taxonomy
      • Bird Species Profiles
    • Mammal Species Profiles
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians >
      • Frog and Toad Species Profiles
    • Fish
    • Arthropods >
      • Arthropod Species Profiles
  • Plants
    • Native Plant Societies
    • Eastern Plant Identification Guide
  • Fungi
    • Fungi Species Profiles
  • Protists
  • Nature Products Store
  • Cell Phone Ringtones
  • Madbird Feeder Cam
  • Ramblings of the Madbird Biologist
  • Bird Videos
  • News in Science
  • Nature Inspired Recipes
  • An Introduction to Scientific Classification and Naming
  • Birds in the Classroom
  • Resources
  • About Me