Both the spotted dove and the mourning dove belong to the bird family Columbidae, which includes all pigeons and doves. They are medium-sized birds with long tails and share many similar physical characteristics. However, there are some key differences between these two types of doves that can help tell them apart.
In this article, we will compare the spotted dove and mourning dove in terms of their physical appearance, distribution, habitat, behavior, diet, breeding, and conservation status. Understanding these differences can help birdwatchers properly identify which species they see.
Physical Appearance
The most noticeable difference between the spotted dove and mourning dove is the coloration of their plumage.
Spotted Doves
– The spotted dove has pale brown feathers on its back, wings, and top of head.
– Its underside and neck are white with black speckles and bars.
– It has a long tail with white tips and edges.
– Its eyes are orange-red with a bluish orbital ring (ring of bare skin around the eye).
– Its bill is black and legs are red.
Mourning Doves
– The mourning dove has light brownish-gray feathers over most of its body.
– Its underside and neck are a soft tan color with minimal markings.
– It has a long pointed tail with white edges but no white spots or bars.
– Its eyes are dark brown.
– Its bill is black and legs are pinkish-red.
So in summary, the key differences in appearance are:
– Spotted doves have speckled feathers on their underside and neck. Mourning doves do not.
– Spotted doves have white-tipped tails with bars. Mourning doves have plain gray tails.
– Spotted doves have orange eyes. Mourning doves have brown eyes.
Distribution
Spotted doves and mourning doves have very different native distributions:
Spotted Doves
– Native to Asia – Southeast Asia, China, India, Indonesia
– Introduced to many other regions like Hawaii, Australia, Florida
Mourning Doves
– Native to the Americas
– Found widely across North America down through Central America
Spotted doves have been introduced to parts of the Americas, leading to some overlap in distribution with mourning doves. But in general, spotted doves originate from Asia while mourning doves are native to the Americas.
Habitat
The habitats these species occupy are also different:
Spotted Doves
– Open woodlands
– Urban parks and gardens
– Agricultural areas
Mourning Doves
– Deciduous and coniferous forests
– Grasslands
– Deserts
– Suburban areas
So mourning doves occupy more natural wilderness habitats like forests and deserts. Spotted doves adapt better to human-altered environments like farms and cities. Both species can thrive in suburban neighborhoods.
Behavior
There are some behavioral differences between these doves:
Spotted Doves
– Usually seen alone or in pairs
– Walk on the ground while bobbing head
– Make a soft “koo-KOO-kook” call
– Can be quite tame around humans
Mourning Doves
– Often seen in larger flocks, especially in winter
– Swift, direct flight pattern
– Distinctive “woo-oo-oo-oo” cooing song
– Fairly shy around humans
So spotted doves are generally less social and more likely to habituate to human presence. Mourning doves form larger flocks and keep more distance from people.
Diet
Both species are mainly herbivorous:
Spotted Doves
– Seeds of grasses, grains, vegetables
– Berries, fruits
– Occasionally insects and snails
Mourning Doves
– Seeds of wild plants like pokeweed
– Cultivated grains like corn, wheat, millet
– Occasionally insects and snails
They both opportunistically eat a variety of seeds from the environment. Mourning doves seem more likely to consume agricultural grains.
Breeding
There are some differences in the breeding biology of these species:
| Trait | Spotted Dove | Mourning Dove |
|---|---|---|
| Nest Type | Flimsy platform of twigs | Loose platform of twigs |
| Clutch Size | 2 eggs | 2 eggs |
| Incubation Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Fledging Period | 14-16 days | 14 days |
| Broods per Year | 4-6 | 2-6 |
So both construct basic stick nests and have similar egg/fledging periods. But spotted doves can produce more broods per year.
Conservation Status
These species have very different conservation outlooks:
Spotted Doves
– Least Concern status on IUCN Red List
– Introduced populations often considered invasive pests
– Very common and numerous throughout native and introduced range
Mourning Doves
– Least Concern status on IUCN Red List
– Native populations stable through much of range
– Maintained as a game species with regulated hunting seasons
Spotted doves are so abundant they are considered pests in many areas. Mourning doves have stable populations, although they are hunted recreationally. Neither species is currently threatened.
Conclusion
In summary, while the spotted dove and mourning dove share the same family and some physical similarities, they differ in their:
– Plumage patterns and coloration
– Native distributions
– Preferred habitats
– Social behaviors
– Conservation outlook
Being able to distinguish these species comes down to noting key identification points like eye color, tail patterns, speckled or plain feathers, and location. Both birds provide an enjoyable sighting for bird enthusiasts around the world.
