What is a Mourning Dove?

The Mourning Dove ( Zenaida Macroura) is a dove with an extensive range. You can find the five subspecies of these doves from South America to Canada. Mourning Doves are easily recognized by their somewhat mournful call, thus inspiring their name. They may be known by their alternate names as the American Morning Dove, Carolina Turtledove or Carolina Pigeon. The bird has the distinctive pigeon look with a small rounded head, a thin body, and brown and grey coloring. Average size is about 12 inches (30.48 cm) in length at maturity.

Some hunt the Mourning Dove, and it is estimated that hunters kill 45 million birds yearly. The population of the Mourning Dove has remained relative stable, despite their being hunted. About 130 million Mourning Doves populate our world. Part of the counterbalance to hunting is that the Mourning Dove replenishes its population regularly. In warmer climates, the dove may have as many as six broods a year.

Though this extensive amount of reproduction yearly would seem to quickly increase the population, it doesn’t. A high rate of mortality exists for Mourning Dove younglings; they are easy prey to predatory animals, and may fall ill from disease early in life. Roughly 70% die before reaching maturity. Further, where they are hunted, parents can easily be shot, thus leaving no one to care for young chicks. There isn’t really a season when the Mourning Dove may not be actively caring for young, so avoiding shooting mother and father birds by hunters is difficult.

Doves are typically gentle and the Mourning Dove is no exception. When pairs of doves gather together to mate, they mark their affection by cleaning each other (preening). The male allows his mate to choose their nesting site.

Some nests may be stolen from other birds or be abandoned squirrels nests. Some strange places Mourning Dove nests have been discovered in include potted plants and buildings. These lovely creatures have adapted very well to human intrusion on their territory and can be found in both urban and rural settings.

The baby Mourning Dove is impressively attractive and extremely helpless. Parents both must feed the young, and began introducing part of their main diet, seeds, after about 10-15 days. Mourning Doves rarely eat bugs or crustaceans of any kind, most preferring small seeds like millet, safflower and sunflower. If you have Mourning Doves in your area, you may well attract them with a birdfeeder containing any of these.

The Mourning Dove is often thought of as harmless bird, and indeed this is true. Its quiet call and gentle beat of wings are sounds that to many evoke peace. The bird is a symbol for peace in both Wisconsin and Michigan. Many associate the dove not only as a symbol of peace but also as representative symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Mourning Doves are recognized by their soft, grayish-brown feathers, small heads, and long, pointed tails with white edges. Their gentle cooing, which sounds sorrowful and is the origin of their name, sets them apart from other doves. They are also known for their swift and direct flight pattern.

Mourning Doves are widespread across North America. They adapt well to various habitats, including suburban areas, farms, and open woodlands. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, these birds are one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds, found in all 48 contiguous states.

Mourning Doves primarily feed on seeds, which constitute 99% of their diet. They forage on the ground for a variety of seeds from grasses, grains, and even weeds. Occasionally, they may consume snails or insects, providing them with essential nutrients not found in seeds.

Mourning Doves are attentive parents. Both males and females take turns incubating their eggs. Once hatched, the parents feed their chicks "crop milk," a nutrient-rich secretion produced in their crops. This high-protein diet ensures rapid growth, and within two weeks, the fledglings are usually ready to leave the nest.

Yes, Mourning Doves play a significant role in their ecosystems. They aid in seed dispersal, helping to propagate various plant species. Additionally, they serve as prey for predators, thus contributing to the food chain. Their presence indicates a healthy, functioning ecosystem.

Mourning Doves are listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflecting their stable and robust population numbers. However, they are subject to hunting regulations as they are a popular game bird, which helps manage their populations and ensure their sustainability.