mourning dove bird
1. Bird Name
Commonly known as the Mourning Dove, its scientific or Latin name is Zenaida macroura.
2. Appearance
The Mourning Dove is a graceful medium-sized bird with a gentle grey to light beige coloration. This transitions into a slightly pink hue on their chests, and they have distinctive black spots on their wings and below their round heads. Their slender tails are long and tapered, edged with large white feathers—the incandescent sheen on their necks particularly eye-catching. Their eyes are surrounded by a soft blue eye-ring, complemented with a sharp, pointed beak. Both sexes are alike, however, females are slightly duller in color and have a more round-headed appearance compared to males.
3. Size
These doves average 24-34 cm (9.4-13.4 in) in length, with the males typically being larger. They have a wingspan of 44-47 cm (17-18 in) and weigh around 90-170 grams (3.2-6.0 oz).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Mourning Doves inhabit a broad range covering most of North and Central America, right down into northern parts of South America. They are versatile birds adapting well from wild landscapes like deserts and forests, to populated areas — nesting comfortably in backyards, parks, and city buildings.
5. Interesting Facts
Did you know that Mourning Doves are one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds? Or that they can drink brackish spring water without becoming dehydrated – a trick that most birds cannot manage? Additionally, the species holds cultural significance for many Native American tribes, symbolizing renewal and spirits of the deceased.
6. Diet
The species primarily feeds on seeds, which comprise 99% of their diet. They occasionally eat snails or insects but opt mostly for a variety of grains and seeds from grasses, weeds, and trees.
7. Behavior & Sounds
When alerted, Mourning Doves will fly away fast with a whistling sound produced by their wings. Their common call is a mournful cooing (coah-cooo-coo-coo), from whence the name ‘Mourning Dove’ is derived. They are generally monogamous, often breeding in pairs throughout the year. Their nests are usually a loose assembly of twigs where they lay one or two eggs.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Mourning Doves are categorized as being of ‘Least Concern’, as their populations are large and widely distributed.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, their lifespan is approximately 1.5 years due to high mortality rates in their first year. However, the oldest recorded Mourning Dove lived to be 31 years old.
10. Additional Notes
Locally, the Mourning Dove is known as ‘Tórtola’ in Spanish and ‘Tourterelle triste’ in French. In terms of their role in ecosystems, these birds control the spread of numerous plant species by eating their seeds. Also, their predation rates are high, which aid in controlling the populations of their predators. They usually coexist peacefully with humans, often building nests in trees or shrubs near human habitation.
