Zenaida macroura

Mourning dove parents produce "crop milk," a liquid high in protein and fat used to feed chicks for the first few days after hatching. When the chicks are a little older, the parents add an increasing volume of regurgitated seeds to the diet. The male often cares for the fledglings while the female begins laying her next set of eggs.
Photo Credit: Dave Manke
Zenaida macroura
Common Name: mourning dove
Animal Guild: Bird
Class > Order > Family: Aves > Columbiformes > Columbidae
What does the species look like? Size and color vary somewhat across the range, but mourning doves are usually gray to brown above and a little lighter below, with darker wings and tail. The wings have conspicuous black spots, and the tail feathers have black-bordered white tips. Juveniles have a patterned face and faintly spotted breast; pale edges are evident on the feathers (upper coverts) of the folded wings. Like other doves, mourning doves are fast, direct fliers.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NL, NM, NS, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, PE, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Distribution

The mourning dove breeds from southern Canada southward through the United States, Cuba, and much of Mexico. It winters within this area south of Canada and south into Panama.

The mourning dove is very versatile, breeding almost anywhere except in deep forest, including woodlands, grasslands, agricultural lands, suburbs, and urban parks. Nests are located on the ground, on ledges, or in vegetation. Habitats used during migration are similar to breeding habitat. Detailed accounts of winter habitat use are lacking, but winter roost sites appear to consist of small- to medium-sized woodlots with suitable protection from the elements.
General Phenology and Life History Although some birds may move locally south in the fall, mourning doves overwinter throughout much of their breeding range, making it difficult to describe the timing of migration. Populations at the northern fringe of the range are completely migratory. In general, birds that do migrate head south between September and November and northward migrations in the spring occur in April and May. The nesting season is very long. Egg-laying may begin as early as February in some areas, and the last young may be fledged in October. Clutch size is usually 2. Incubation lasts about 14 days, and the young leave the nest 12-15 days after hatching. Mourning doves have multiple broods and in some areas may attempt up to 6 nestings in a single breeding season.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Live individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
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Feeding or foraging
One or more individuals are seen feeding or foraging. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or gathered, or describe it in the comments field.

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Calls or song
One or more individuals are heard calling or singing.

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Singing individuals
One or more individuals are heard singing. Singing refers to stereotypical, simple or elaborate vocalizations (most commonly by males) used as part of territorial proclamation or defense, or mate attraction. It does not include relatively simple calls used for other forms of communication.

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Territorial individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard defending a territory. This may be indicated by calls or song used as part of a territorial proclamation, chasing of an individual of the same species from a breeding area (but do not confuse this with courtship behavior, which in some species may involve chasing), or calls or displays directed at individuals of the same or a different species to defend a feeding area.

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Reproduction Courtship
A male and female are seen near one another and are engaged in courtship behavior. Do not include male displays in the absence of a female.

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Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female.

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Nest building
One or more adults are seen constructing a nest or carrying nesting material.

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Occupied nest
One or more adults are seen sitting on a nest, entering or leaving a nest site under circumstances indicating its use for nesting (including nest defense behavior), or live eggs or nestlings are seen in a nest.

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Development Nestlings
One or more young are seen or heard in a nest.

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Fledged young
One or more young are seen recently departed from the nest. This includes young incapable of sustained flight and young which are still dependent on adults.

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Dead individuals
One or more dead individuals are seen.

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Dead nestlings or fledglings
One ore more dead nestlings or young are seen.

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Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

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What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.