These delightful birds, also known as American mourning doves, rain doves, turtle doves, Carolina pigeons, or Carolina turtledoves, are part of the Columbidae family, which includes other doves and pigeons. You might be surprised to learn that they are one of the most common backyard birds in the United States and have a special place in the hearts of bird enthusiasts.
While these beautiful doves are protected native species in North America, some states allow regulated harvesting of mourning doves as game birds. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 20 million of these birds are hunted each year for sport and consumption, highlighting their popularity among hunters.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Mourning Doves is their remarkable breeding ability. In warmer regions, a single pair of doves can raise up to six broods in a year, with each brood consisting of two adorable young birds. This impressive reproductive strategy helps them adapt and maintain their population stability.
When it comes to their flight, Mourning Doves are a true spectacle. Their wings produce a charming whistling sound as they take off or land, adding to their enchanting presence. With speeds reaching up to 88 km/h (55 mph), they display remarkable agility and grace in the sky.
But wait, there’s even more to discover about these marvelous birds! In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the world of Mourning Doves, providing you with all the fascinating information you need to know about this beautiful dove species. So, keep reading and prepare to be amazed by the wonders of the Mourning Dove! 🕊️
Overview
| Characteristic | Mourning Doves |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zenaida macroura |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Type | Bird |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Temperament | Peaceful and gentle |
| Lifespan | Up to 5 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity |
| Size | 9 to 13 inches (23 to 33 cm) in length |
| Weight | 4.2 to 6.1 ounces (120 to 173 grams) |
| Diet | Primarily seeds and grains |
| Distribution | Greater Antilles, most of Mexico, Continental United States, southern Canada, Bermuda |
| Habitat | Open and semi-open habitats, urban areas, farms, prairies, grasslands, lightly wooded areas |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Fun Fact | Mourning doves can produce a distinctive mournful cooing sound, earning them their name. |
The Appearance of Mourning Doves
Mourning Doves have a slender, elongated body with a length of about 9-13 inches (23-33 cm). They have a small head, a long and tapered tail, and pointed wings. Their plumage is primarily a soft gray-brown, with a lighter underside and darker spots on their wings.
They also have distinctive black spots on their wings that form a crescent shape when they are in flight. Let’s take a look some facts about the appearance of Mourning Doves:
Body Structure
Mourning Doves have a slender and elongated body, measuring about 9-13 inches (23-33 cm) in length. They feature a small head, a long and tapered tail, and pointed wings. This body structure allows them to navigate through the air with agility and grace.
Plumage Colors and Patterns
The predominant plumage of Mourning Doves is a soft gray-brown color, with a lighter underside. Their wings display black spots, and the outer tail feathers are white, creating a striking contrast. A distinguishing feature is the crescent-shaped area of dark feathers below the eye.
Both male and female doves share similar plumage characteristics, making it challenging to differentiate them based on appearance alone.
Size and Weight
Mourning Doves typically weigh around 112-170 g (4.0-6.0 oz), with an average weight of 128 g (4.5 oz). Their wingspan ranges from 37-45 cm. Despite their relatively small size, Mourning Doves possess remarkable flying abilities, reaching speeds of up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
Sexual Dimorphism
Male and female Mourning Doves exhibit similar plumage patterns and coloration. However, adult males have distinctive bright purple-pink patches on the sides of their necks, with light pink coloring extending to the breast. The crown of adult males is a bluish-gray color. Females, on the other hand, have more overall brown coloring and are slightly smaller in size compared to males.
Feather Adaptations
Feathers play a crucial role in the appearance and behavior of Mourning Doves. Their feathers undergo color changes in response to external stimuli. Studies have shown that when exposed to changes in moisture, iridescent feathers of Mourning Doves change hue, become more chromatic, and increase overall reflectance. This is due to thin-film interference from a single layer of keratin around the edge of feather barbules.
Subspecies Variation
Mourning Doves have five subspecies, each with subtle variations in size and coloration. The nominate subspecies has shorter wings and appears darker and more buff-colored. Z. m. carolinensis has longer wings and toes, a shorter beak, and a darker coloration.
The western subspecies has longer wings, a longer beak, shorter toes, and a more muted and lighter coloration. The Panama mourning dove has shorter wings and legs, a longer beak, and appears grayer in color. The Clarion Island subspecies has larger feet, a larger beak, and is darker brown in color.
Mourning Doves pictures
Check out these awesome pictures of Mourning Doves! If you’ve ever wondered what these lovely birds look like, you’re in for a treat. Feast your eyes on their soft gray-brown feathers, slender bodies, and pointy wings.
These photos capture the beauty and grace of Mourning Doves in all their glory. So sit back, relax, and enjoy these amazing pictures. Get ready to be mesmerized by the wonder of Mourning Doves!
Distinctive Features of Mourning Doves
Mourning Doves have a unique soft and mournful cooing sound, which gives them their name. Their wings produce a whistling sound during takeoff and landing. They have red eyes, a black bill, and their legs and feet are pinkish in color.
Vocalizations and Social Behavior of Mourning Doves
Mourning Doves are known for their unique and haunting cooing sound, which gives them their name. The male doves emit a plaintive cooOOoo-wooo-woo-woo-woooo call to attract females. This call has a resemblance to the hoot of an owl, especially when heard from a distance. Prior to the coo, a grating or throat-rattling sound may be heard.
Paired males also produce a nested call (cooOOoo) to signal their female mates to the nest sites. A soft greeting call (ork) is used by males when reuniting with their mates, and an alarm call (roo-oo) is emitted by both males and females when they feel threatened.
Wing Whistle
When in flight, Mourning Doves create a fluttery whistling sound with their wings. This sound is often difficult to hear unless in close proximity to the bird. However, the wing whistle becomes more noticeable and louder during takeoff and landing, adding to the dove’s distinctive characteristics.
Physical Features
Mourning Doves possess several visual features that make them stand out. They have striking red eyes, which contrast against their soft gray-brown plumage. Their bills are black in color, and their legs and feet appear pinkish, providing a subtle yet noticeable contrast to their overall appearance.
These distinctive features, including their mournful cooing, wing whistling, red eyes, and pinkish legs and feet, contribute to the unique identity of Mourning Doves and make them easily recognizable and distinguishable from other bird species.
The Range and Habitat of the Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove has an extensive range, covering nearly 11,000,000 square kilometers (4,200,000 square miles).
This beautiful bird is a resident species found in various regions, including the Greater Antilles, most of Mexico, the Continental United States, southern Canada, and the Atlantic archipelago of Bermuda.
While the Mourning Dove is present year-round in the southern parts of its range, its distribution in Canada and Central America varies with seasonal movements.
In Canada, it is primarily seen during the summer, while in southern Central America, it is observed during the winter.
The species is also known to occur as a vagrant in northern Canada, Alaska, and South America. Rare accidental sightings have been recorded in the Western Palearctic, including the British Isles, the Azores, and Iceland. In 1963, the Mourning Dove was introduced to Hawaii, where a small population still exists in North Kona.
Additionally, in 1988, the species appeared on Socorro Island, off the western coast of Mexico, following the extinction of the Socorro dove on that island.
The Mourning Dove occupies a wide range of open and semi-open habitats. It can be found in urban areas, farms, prairies, grasslands, and lightly wooded areas. However, it tends to avoid swamps and dense forests, preferring more open environments for nesting and foraging.
Migration
Mourning Doves undertake migratory journeys along established flyways, predominantly over land. The birds from Canada have the longest migrations, likely wintering in Mexico or even farther south. Those individuals that spend the summer in more southern regions exhibit shorter migrations.
In the southern parts of their range, Mourning Doves can be found year-round, indicating sedentary behavior.
Spring migration for the species occurs from March to May, as birds move northward. Fall migration takes place from September to November, with immatures being the first to migrate, followed by adult females and then adult males. Migration typically occurs during the day, with flocks of doves flying at low altitudes.
Behavior
Mourning Doves display interesting behaviors in their daily lives. They are primarily ground feeders, spending their time foraging for seeds, grains, and small fruits on the ground. You might observe them walking with a distinctive bobbing motion as they search for food.
Feeding Behavior: What do Mourning Doves eat?
Mourning Doves are primarily ground feeders, meaning they spend a significant amount of time foraging for food on the ground. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, and small fruits.
You may often observe them walking with a distinctive bobbing motion as they search for and peck at food sources. Their preference for ground feeding makes them well-adapted to open areas and habitats with ample food resources.
Pair Bonding and Monogamy
Mourning Doves are known for their monogamous nature and strong pair bonds. They form committed partnerships that can endure for multiple breeding seasons.
Once a pair bond is formed, the doves engage in various bonding behaviors such as preening each other’s feathers, mutual courtship displays, and close physical proximity. This loyalty and dedication to their partners is a remarkable aspect of their social behavior.
Note: This commitment to their partners is quite remarkable and adds to their reputation as devoted and loyal creatures. 🥰
Nesting and Reproduction
When it comes to nesting, Mourning Doves exhibit simplicity in their approach. They often construct their nests in trees, shrubs, or even on man-made structures such as buildings or utility poles. The nests are relatively basic, consisting of loosely arranged twigs and grasses.
The female dove typically lays two eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs, usually for about two weeks. After hatching, the parents share the responsibility of feeding and caring for the young squabs.
Migratory Patterns
While Mourning Doves are a resident species in many regions, they also exhibit migratory behavior. Birds from northern regions, such as Canada, undertake long-distance migrations to warmer areas during the winter months, often reaching Mexico or even further south.
In contrast, doves that reside in more southern regions tend to be more sedentary, with shorter migratory distances.
The timing and routes of their migrations vary, with spring migration north occurring from March to May, and fall migration south happening from September to November.
Breeding
Mourning Doves typically breed from spring to fall. They construct flimsy nests made of twigs, grass, and plant materials in trees, shrubs, or even on the ground. The female usually lays two white eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about two weeks. The hatchlings are altricial, meaning they are initially helpless and rely on their parents for food and care.
Mourning Doves are considered an important game bird and are also admired for their gentle and peaceful presence in residential areas. Their widespread distribution, distinct cooing call, and graceful flight make them a well-known and cherished bird species in North America.
Mourning doves natural Predators
Mourning doves face various challenges in their environment, including threats from predators and parasites. Understanding these interactions provides insight into the species’ survival strategies and potential vulnerabilities.
Diurnal Birds of Prey
Falcons and hawks are the primary predators of mourning doves. These raptors, with their keen eyesight and aerial hunting skills, pose a significant threat to doves, especially during flight. The falcons’ swift and agile nature, along with the hawks’ powerful talons and beaks, make them formidable predators in the skies.
Nest Predators
During the nesting period, mourning dove eggs face risks from a range of predators. Corvids, such as crows and ravens, along with grackles, housecats, and rat snakes, are known to prey on dove eggs. These predators may exploit the vulnerability of the nest, posing a threat to the reproductive success of the mourning doves.
Interaction with Cowbirds
Cowbirds are known to engage in brood parasitism, laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species, including mourning doves. However, cowbird parasitism in mourning dove nests is relatively rare.
Mourning doves exhibit a fascinating behavior of recognizing and rejecting cowbird eggs, as they are unsuitable for their vegetarian diet. Studies have shown that mourning doves reject slightly under a third of cowbird eggs in their nests, indicating a defense mechanism against this parasitic behavior.
Parasites and Diseases of Mourning doves
Mourning doves are susceptible to various parasites and diseases, which can impact their health and survival. These include tapeworms, nematodes, mites, and lice, which can infest the birds’ feathers, skin, or internal organs. While these parasites may not directly cause mortality, they can affect the overall well-being and fitness of the doves.
One particularly severe parasite that affects mourning doves is Trichomonas gallinae. This mouth-dwelling parasite can lead to the development of yellowish growth in the mouth and esophagus, eventually causing starvation and death.
Mourning doves may sometimes host this parasite without exhibiting visible symptoms, making it a silent threat to their health.
Avian pox is another common disease observed in mourning doves. It is a viral infection transmitted by insects, particularly mosquitoes and biting flies. Avian pox can cause wart-like growths on the skin, beak, and eyes of affected birds, leading to discomfort, impaired vision, and decreased survival rates.
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Conservation status
The mourning dove is widely distributed and has a large population size, estimated to be around 475 million individuals in 1994, with a slight increase since then. This substantial population and its extensive range contribute to the species’ classification as “least concern” on the conservation status scale, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of extinction.
As a gamebird, the mourning dove is subject to regulated hunting, with millions of birds harvested by hunters annually. The management of the species as a gamebird helps maintain its population and ensures sustainable harvest levels.
However, recent reports highlight concerning trends for mourning doves in certain regions. In the western United States, there has been a decline in mourning dove populations. Additionally, mourning doves are susceptible to lead poisoning, a significant threat to their well-being.
Lead poisoning occurs when doves ingest lead pellets or fragments, often left behind as spent shot in hunting fields. Some hunting areas purposely plant favored seed plants to attract mourning doves, which increases their exposure to lead-contaminated areas.
Some fun facts about the Mourning doves
- Mourning doves are also known as “rain doves” because their soft cooing sounds like raindrops falling.
- These birds are excellent fliers and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph!
- Mourning doves have a gentle and calming appearance with their soft gray and brown feathers.
- They are ground feeders and enjoy eating seeds, grains, and small fruits.
- Mourning doves have a special adaptation called “crop milk.” Both parents produce a nutritious milk-like substance in their crops to feed their young squabs.
- These birds are monogamous and form strong pair bonds that can last for multiple breeding seasons.
- Mourning doves have a unique way of taking off and landing. Their wings produce a distinctive whistling sound as they move through the air.
- They are found throughout North America, from Canada to Mexico and even some Caribbean islands.
- The average lifespan of a mourning dove is around 1-2 years, but some have been known to live up to 5 years.
- Mourning doves build flimsy nests made of twigs and grasses, often in trees or shrubs.
- Their nests are not very secure and can easily be damaged or destroyed by strong winds or predators.
- Mourning doves are popular gamebirds and are hunted by sportsmen for sport and meat consumption.
- Despite hunting pressure, mourning doves have a remarkable breeding ability. In warmer regions, a pair of doves can raise up to six broods in a single year!
- These birds are often seen walking on the ground in a distinctive bobbing motion as they search for food.
Mourning doves are fascinating creatures with their unique behaviors, beautiful appearance, and remarkable adaptations. Observing them in nature can be a delightful experience!
References:
- Mourning Dove. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning_dove
- Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura). (n.d.). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22690736/0
- Xeno-canto. (n.d.). Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) bird call. Retrieved from https://xeno-canto.org/696289
These references provide valuable information about mourning doves, including their taxonomy, conservation status, and bird call recordings. They are reliable sources to explore for further details and research about these fascinating birds.
