Yes, the mourning dove is a type of dove. The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is a member of the dove family Columbidae, which includes over 300 species of doves and pigeons. The mourning dove is native to North America and gets its name from its distinctive mournful cooing sound. Some key identifying features of the mourning dove include its slender body shape, long tapered tail, and muted gray-brown plumage. While many people use the terms “dove” and “pigeon” interchangeably, they actually refer to different, though closely related, groups of birds in the Columbidae family. Pigeons tend to be larger, chunkier, and more urban adapted than doves. The mourning dove’s smaller size and more delicate appearance align it squarely with other types of doves. So while all mourning doves are doves, not all doves are mourning doves. There are several other dove species found in North America including the rock dove, white-winged dove, Eurasian collared dove, and more. But the mourning dove remains one of the most widespread and recognizable American doves.
What is a mourning dove?
The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is a medium-sized dove native to North and Central America. Some key facts about the mourning dove:
- Scientific name: Zenaida macroura
- Average length: 23-34 cm (9-13 inches)
- Wingspan: 37-45 cm (14.5-17.5 inches)
- Weight: 4.3-6 oz (120-170 g)
- Lifespan: 1-5 years
- Diet: Seeds, grains, berries
- Habitat: Open woods, roadsides, suburban areas, farms
- Range: Temperate North America, parts of Central America, Caribbean
- Call: Distinctive “cooOOoo-woo-woo-woooo”
The mourning dove gets its common name from its distinctive call that sounds like it is mourning. Its scientific name Zenaida macroura breaks down to mean “Zenaida,” referring to a daughter of Zeus in Greek mythology, and “macroura” meaning large tail.
Identification
Mourning doves can be identified by the following physical features:
- Size and shape: A slender, medium-sized dove, smaller than a rock pigeon.
- Color pattern: Light grayish-brown overall with black spots on the wings.
- Bill: Small and black.
- Feet: Pinkish with black scales.
- Eyes: Dark with light blue eye-rings.
- Tail: Long and tapered with white tips and black band near the end.
- Flight style: Quick, bullet-like flight with rapid wing beats.
- Song: Distinct mournful cooing: “cooOOoo-woo-woo-woooo.”
In flight, the mourning dove’s tapered tail and pointed wings are distinctive. The male and female look similar though the male is usually slightly larger. Juveniles are more brownish overall. The mourning dove is unlikely to be confused with other birds once you learn its characteristic shape and flight style.
Range and Habitat
The mourning dove has an exceptionally wide range across North America:
| Region | Range |
|---|---|
| United States | Found in lower 48 states year-round. Absent from extreme northern Alaska. |
| Canada | Southern Canada through the central provinces. |
| Mexico | Throughout Mexico down to central America. |
| Caribbean | Parts of Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico. |
This versatile dove occupies a wide variety of open and semi-open habitats including woodlands, grasslands, farms, suburbs, and parks. They avoid dense forest but thrive in more open areas with scattered trees. Mourning doves can readily adapt to human-altered environments which has allowed their population to flourish.
Diet
Mourning doves have a specialized diet of almost entirely seeds and grains. Their typical diet includes:
- Seeds of grasses, grains, weeds
- Berries, acorns
- Occasional insects
With a preference for foraging on the ground, mourning doves use their slender bill to pick up various seeds. They sometimes scratch at the ground to find food. Mourning doves drink frequently so require habitats with ample water sources. They meet many of their moisture needs through the foods they eat as well.
Nesting and Reproduction
Mourning doves mate for life and may raise up to six broods per year. Here are some key facts about mourning dove nesting:
- Nest type: Flimsy platform of twigs, grasses, pine needles placed in bushes, trees, on the ground.
- Clutch size: 2 white eggs.
- Incubation: About 2 weeks by both parents.
- Fledging: 11-15 days after hatching.
- Nesting seasons: February-October, peaking March-September.
Both parents share brooding and feeding responsibilities. Mourning dove chicks (called squabs) mature quickly and leave the nest at about 2 weeks old.
Relationship with Humans
Mourning doves have a complex relationship with humans. Here are some of the key interactions:
- Game bird: Mourning doves are a popular game bird with an estimated 20 million shot by hunters annually.
- Backyard bird: Their adaptability allows them to thrive in suburbs and they visit backyard bird feeders.
- Agricultural pest: They sometimes eat newly planted grains and seeds, creating conflict with farmers.
- Symbolism: Their mournful call and role as sacrificial birds in the Bible lead to symbolic meaning about grief and sacrifice.
- Population status: Around 350 million mourning doves inhabit North America with stable populations.
Overall, the mourning dove’s tentative nature, iconic call, and graceful beauty have made them a popular and well-known bird.
Interesting Facts
Here are a few more interesting facts about mourning doves:
- Mourning doves are the most hunted and harvested game bird in North America.
- Their strained cooing call reaches a frequency of 700 hertz, beyond normal human hearing range.
- The mourning dove is thought to be the world’s fastest flier at 55-60 mph.
- While monogamous, mourning doves will sometimes move onto a new mate if their current mate dies.
- Cornell Lab estimates the mourning dove population at 350 million.
- They can drink with their heads fully upright by sucking water up like a straw.
- Mourning dove feet have unique circulatory adaptations to thrive in extreme heat.
- Their thin tapered bill is well-adapted for eating small seeds.
- The mourning dove is the state bird of Kentucky and Wisconsin.
Conclusion
In summary, the mourning dove is a true member of the Columbidae dove family. Its smaller size, delicate features, pointed tail, graceful flight, and cooing call all point to the mourning dove’s status as a typical New World dove. A successful urban adapter, the mourning dove maintains abundant populations across North America. Its distinctive appearance and voice make it easy to identify in fields, backyards, and open habitats. So whether glimpsed flying past or heard calling in the distance, the mourning dove remains one of our most familiar and iconic doves.
