Birds in Nature - images of wild birds by Richard Ditch

Species Profile: Mourning Dove

Species Name: Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Description: Length: 12 inches. A medium sized passerine. Distinctive slim shape, with long tail tapering to a point and small headed. Bill smallish and delicate looking. Short legs. Body buffy tan with some black spots on wing coverts; pinkish wash on breast. Iridescent feathers on sides of neck may flash greenish, rose pink, or golden in certain light. Delicate pale blue eye ring. Legs pinkish red. Juvenile birds appear much darker with more spotting and often a scaly look to the feathers; more contrasting pattern on face.

Range: Found in all Lower 48 states; breeds throughout much of North America. Most abundant and widespread dove in North America. Winters in most of US range and Mexico.

Breeding Bird Survey Range Map
Christmas Bird Count Distribution Map

Behavior: Found in a variety of habitats, from farmlands, urban parks, suburban yards. Named for distinctive mournful call. Wings make prominent whistling flutter when taking flight. Frequently bobs head back-and-forth when walking. Males inflate chest and neck, and hope about chasing females for breeding. Breeds almost any time of year. Ground feeder; seeds and cracked corn.

Related or Similar Species: 15 species of pigeons and doves are listed in the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, but only the Mourning Dove and the Rock Dove (common pigeon) are widely distributed. The Band-tailed Pigeon looks more like the widespread urban pigeon than a dove, and is restricted to the mountains of the west. The Zenaida Dove closely resembles the Mourning Dove, but is a very rare stray from the West Indies to the Florida Keys. The White-winged Dove of the Mexican border states sometimes shows up elsewhere in the US; it is easily told from the Mourning Dove by the prominent wing patches, larger black bill, and shorter tail. The much smaller Inca Dove can resemble a juvenile Mourning Dove but shows rufous in the wings.

Identification: Distinctive small-headed shape and relative lack of look-alike species makes this an easy identification.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: Abundance and wide distribution of this species makes it available to almost all photographers. As a ground feeder it may require a very low shooting position. Look for roosting birds at or above eye level in early morning or late afternoon, but be careful of exposure problems with bright sky backgrounds and watch for intrusive branches and busy backgrounds in the frame. Look for birds on fence posts or wire along farm country roads and work from the car.

Images

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