Mourning Dove

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The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a member of the bird family Columbidae, which includes doves and pigeons.

The Mourning Dove breeds from Bermuda, to southern Canada, Central America and the Caribbean, laying two white eggs on a flimsy platform built in a tree or shrub, sometimes on a building. These birds may raise six or more broods in a season. Eggs take approximately two weeks to hatch, and the young chicks typically fledge after only two weeks in the nest. Parents feed the young pigeon's milk, a nutrient rich substance regurgitated from its crop. The Mourning Dove is a close relation of the Eared Dove and some authorities describe them as forming a superspecies.

In many parts of the United States the Mourning Dove is hunted as a game bird. However, Mourning Doves are Wisconsin's official symbol of peace.

The bird is resident and abundant over much of its range, but many northern birds migrate south in winter. It is presumably Canadian birds which give rise to the very rare occurrences of this species in western Europe.

The Mourning Dove is approximately 31 cm (12 in) in length. It has a long tapered tail, and is greyish-brown above and pinkish below. The wings have black spotting, and the outer tail feathers are white. The male has bright purple-pink patches on the neck sides; these are less obvious in the female. Young birds have a scaly appearance.

This bird is found in a range of open and semi-open habitats. Its mournful cooOOoo-coo-coo-coo call is familiar throughout its range, as is the whistling of its wings as it takes flight.

These birds forage on the ground, mainly eating grains and seeds, sometimes also on insects. They often swallow fine gravel to assist with digestion. At bird feeders, Mourning Doves are attracted to one of the largest ranges of seed types of any North American bird, with a preference for corn, millet, safflower, and sunflower chips.

Mourning doves are one of the few types of birds that mate for life. Often, when one is seen perching alone it is because its mate has died or been shot by hunters. This fact, as well as its mournful coo, are the reasons for the dove's name.

Photo gallery

Image:Mourning_Dove_Nesting_20060630.JPG|Mourning Dove Nesting in Colorado Image:Mourning_Dove_Chicks_20060701.JPG|Mourning Dove chicks on their nest in Colorado Image:Zenaida macroura2.jpg|Juvenile Image:NestlingQuailAndMotherQuailCropped.jpg|Nestling Mourning Doves and their mother in Wisconsin. Image:Dovetampa1.jpg|Dove after falling from its nest Image:Dovetampa2.jpg|Ready to put the dove back. Image:Dovetamp3.jpg|two dove chicks in the nest. Image:MVC-249F.JPG|Father and chick, 2003, San Carlos California Image:MVC-396F.JPG|Father and 2 chicks, 2003, San Carlos California Image:DSC00448-2.JPG|Mourning Dove Egg, 2003, San Carlos California Image:DSC00626-2.JPG|Newborn Mourning Dove Chicks, 2003, San Carlos California

References

BirdLife International (2004). [Zenaida macroura]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

[Zenaida macroura (TSN 177125)]. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 9 February 2006.

External links

[Learn more about the species and listen to the male mourning dove's call]

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