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.
Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Urban
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.
Abundant
Diurnal
Feeds almost entirely on seeds
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.
Least Concern
