Zenaida macroura

Identifying Features

Mourning doves have a distinct dove shape to them, with round heads and bodies. They are 12" long and have a wingspan of 18". They are light brown-gray with darker wingtips and some white on their tailfeathers.

Their call is a “mournful” coo-o coo coo coo.

Habitat & Range

Their year-round range reaches across most of North America. They have breeding and non-breeding ranges in northern Canada and southern Central America, respectively.

Mourning doves are found in open forests, fields, and shrubby areas.

Behavior

Mourning doves eat primarily seeds, but will also eat fruit and insects.

Featured image by John Benson.