Mourning Dove
Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura
A member of the dove family (columbidae), Mourning Doves are the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds. They are named for their mournful call. They are very prolific breeders – raising up to six broods per year. Parents are typically monogamous, and both incubate and care for the young.
Mourning Doves are strong fliers, capable of speeds of up to 55 mph. They eat almost exclusively seeds. Mourning Doves often gather at bird baths around dawn and dusk to water bathe or drink. They drink by suction, without lifting or tilting their head.
Although not a designated state bird in the US, the Mourning Dove is the designated “official symbol for peace” and “state bird of peace” for Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively.
Identification Facts
Head to Tail Length: about 12″
Fledgling Mourning Dove
Distinctive Features:
Mourning Doves are the slimmest bird in the pigeon and dove family, and have broad wings, round head, dark beak, with a long tapered tail. For perching, Mourning Doves have three toes forward and one facing back.
They are generally grayish-brown on top, and lighter below. Below their dark eyes is a distinctive crescent-shaped marking. Juvenile birds have a scaly appearance, and are generally darker.
Male & Female Characteristics: Males and females are similar in appearance, with females being smaller and less colorful than males, and lacking a bluish crown.
Songs & Calls
It is known for its mournful call, which can be heard in nearly all habitats. Its song is a hollow, mournful ooAAH cooo cooo cooo, oftentimes mistaken for an owl. The wings make a whistling sound at takeoff.
| Mourning Dove – song |
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| Mourning Dove – wing beat |
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Mourning Dove Distribution
Nesting Behavior
Mourning Dove Distribution
Distribution: They are dispersed from the Greater Antilles to Southern Canada.
Nest Type: platform
Breeding Season: February through October
Migration: Resident to long-distance migration. Northern birds fly south as far as southern Mexico, with individuals that breed in central and southern US moving a few hundred miles or not at all.
Nest Facts: Nests are established in brushy, open habitats, farms, and suburbs. Female mourning doves generally lay two small, white eggs in an open nest. Both male and female mourning doves share in incubating and feeding their young. Incubation lasts 14 to 15 days. Young mourning doves are fed food by both parents. The young leave the nest about 15 days after hatching but remain nearby until they are more accomplished at flying, usually at about 30 days old.
Recommended Bird House: Mounted Platform
Diet
Food Type: Mourning Doves feed on the ground and in the open. Mourning Doves eat seeds almost exclusively, eating 10 to 20 percent of their body weight per day. The swallow and store seed in an area of their esophagus called the crop. They can hold thousands of seeds in their crop, and once filled they fly to a safe perch to digest.
Commercially available food options include wild bird seed.
Recommended Feeders: Ground Platform Feeder
Similar species
The bird is also called the American Mourning Dove or Rain Dove, and formerly was known as the Carolina Pigeon or Carolina Turtledove.
For more information
Mourning Dove. (2009, May 29). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:25, May 29, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mourning_Dove&oldid=293037301
“by Bill Askenburg, Owner – New England Birdhouse. We specialize in fine architectural bird houses and feeders, offering handcrafted custom and stock replica bird houses and backyard birding supplies and garden decor. For more information or articles please visit our blog.”
4 comments
Rosemary says:
August 29, 2009 at 7:52 pm (UTC -5 )
A morning dove flew into my large garage. After flying around he banged his breast again the window. I finally conered him and was able to gently put a small towel over him. I placed salt water on his little wound and then corn startch to coalugate the bleeding, which wasn’t much. I have him in a cage observing him; I didn’t want to release him in that condition with the very rainy day. He did eat on his own this morning, but not much during the day. When placing the cup of water and putting seed down the floor, he would flutter around, which isn’t good for more injury. I want to release him tomorrow, Sunday, as the day will be sunny. Hopefully he will be okay to be released. I have a cockatiel in another cage and he seems afraid of her and doesn’t find comfort having another bird specie around to relax him. I’m not comfortable as of potential disease being brought into the house. I’m concerned about getting him into the towel without distressing him or getting out of the cage and potentially flying into the window again. I have to place the shade down just in case, then have it darker in the room, but not really possible. Any suggestions?
admin says:
August 30, 2009 at 1:16 pm (UTC -5 )
It would be best to place it in a dark, isolated area away from your other bird and any activity. When you release it, try and do so near brush or shrub, and away from windows. If it doesn’t fly away, or appears to be injured contact the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center in your area. Here’s a link to a wildlife rehabilitation specialist directory. http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
Here are some more generic directions for dealing with stunned birds.
To help a stunned bird breathe, it should be picked upright firmly without squeezing around the wings close to the body. Put the bird in a box lined with a soft cotton cloth or paper towel, close the lid and place the box in a dark, quiet, safe place for an hour or two(birds tend to sit still in absolute darkness, in the absence of stimuli).
The bird likely has a concussion, a build-up of blood under the skull, pressing on the brain. If the bird remains quiet the blood will probably drain safely away. After an hour or two, take the box to an open area facing woods or brush and release the bird.
If the bird can’t fly, it will be necessary to take it to a qualified wildlife rehabilitation center. Find one nearby by using the Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory link above.
Feeding injured birds is problematic, since birds have a rapid metabolism and high energy demands, and their diets are difficult to replicate. Also, many are fearful and will hurt themselves in cages or confinement. Additionally, the bird may be one of many dozens of species, each with its own peculiarities and specific needs.
Keep in mind federal, state and provincial legislation makes it illegal for unlicensed individuals to care for virtually any native bird species. Even veterinarians are not necessarily licensed to care for wild birds. Always seek the most qualified care that is available in your area for injured birds, but always start with a search for a local wildlife rehabilitation specialist.
I wish you the best of luck, and hope to hear good news about your Dove
Carol Kindred says:
September 6, 2010 at 8:17 pm (UTC -5 )
I’m an ex parrot breeder and all my friends know it. When one found a baby mourning dove on her land she brought it to me. I have experience with feeding a few wild birds but this is my first dove. His beak is weird but no so he can’t eat. I’ve hand fed him and he needs to wean.
Because I do medical transcription at home he stays on my desk (with a towel spread across it) all day. He looks really good but seems to be unable to fly with any control. I will not be able to let him go and we’ve bonded anyway.
I noticed he was preening one day and threw his back and tumbled over backward. I’ve seen this a few times now. He acts as though he has something in his eye after he stops. I do not have his wings clipped and a few minutes ago he fell to the floor off my shoulder. When I turned around he was tumbling uncontrollably and only stopped after I picked him up and held him in my hands. I thought he was going to die then. I brought him to my desk and after about 3 minutes, he’s preening and seems fine.
There are no bird vets and I feel sure they wouldn’t be able to tell my anything anyway. I Googled tumbling doves only found something from 1926 about a wild tumbling dove observed in flight.
If anyone has had any previous experience with this “condition”, I’d love to hear about it. I love this gentle little bird whose coo is such a change from my very vocal African Grey. Please email any suggestions.
shelby says:
May 23, 2011 at 3:40 pm (UTC -5 )
hey i am raising a baby bird witch is a dove can u help me
cool