Mourning Dove
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pdanese" title="User:Pdanese">Paul Danese</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
NameMourning Dove
Common NameMourning Dove
Scientific NameZenaida macroura
FamilyColumbidae
Wingspan (cm)41
Length (cm)30
Weight (g)120
Plumage DetailsOverall grayish-brown to buffy-tan plumage, lighter on the underside. Black spots are present on the wings, and a small black spot is typically found below the eye. The tail is long and tapered with white outer tail feathers visible in flight. Legs are reddish.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its distinctive, mournful cooing call, often described as 'OoAAH-coo-coo-coo'. It also produces a whistling sound with its wings during takeoff and landing.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsopen woodlands, farmlands, suburban areas, parks, grasslands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across North America, extending into parts of Central America and the Caribbean. It is a common resident throughout much of its range, with northern populations migrating south for winter.
Identifying Featuresslender body, small head, long tapered tail, mournful cooing call, black spots on wings, whistling sound during flight
Description
The Mourning Dove is a slender, medium-sized dove known for its soft, mournful cooing call. It is often seen foraging on the ground for seeds or resting quietly, sometimes puffed up as seen in the image, to conserve warmth or relax.
