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Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Urban
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: 1.5 years on average

A soft, buff-colored bird with a small head, spots on its wings, and a long pointed tail bordered with white. This tame bird forages on the ground eating grains, seeds, and insects and readily makes itself at home close to humans. Mourning Doves can be found in every state in the U.S., but is a game bird only in the South.

Diet

Feeds almost entirely on seeds

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Aves
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Order: Columbiformes
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Family: Columbidae
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Genus: Zenaida
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Species: Zenaida macroura

Scientific Name

Zenaida macroura
Breeding Season
February-October
Migration Pattern
Those that spend the summer further south are more sedentary, with much shorter migrations. At the southern part of their range, Mourning Doves are present year-round. Fall migration in the South runs from September to November, with immatures moving first, followed by adult females and then by adult males.
Lifespan
1.5 years on average

Behavior

Mourning doves sunbathe or rain bathe by lying on the ground or a flat tree limb, leaning over, stretching one wing, and keeping this posture for up to twenty minutes. These birds can also water bathe in shallow pools or birdbaths. Dustbathing is common as well. Mourning Doves feed on the ground and in the open. They peck or push aside ground litter, but don’t scratch at the ground. Mourning doves are monogamous, some pairs stay together through the winter. Their wings whistle when they fly away and their call is a distinctive cooing sound.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Wetland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Mourning doves are only native to the Nearctic region. They live from southern Canada, throughout the United States, and south to Panama. Mourning doves are found year-round throughout most of their range but northern populations migrate south during the winter.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
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No field notes or observations available for this species.

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