The mourning dove is a member of the dove family, Columbidae.The bird is also known as the American mourning dove or the rain dove, and erroneously as the turtle dove, and was once known as the Carolina pigeon or Carolina turtledove.
It is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds. It is also a leading gamebird, with more than 20 million birds (up to 70 million in some years) shot annually in the U.S., both for sport and for meat.
Its ability to sustain its population under such pressure is due to its prolific breeding; in warm areas, one pair may raise up to six broods of two young each in a single year. The wings make an unusual whistling sound upon take-off and landing, a form of sonation. The bird is a strong flier, capable of speeds up to 55 mph. It is the national bird of the British Virgin Islands.
Mourning doves are light grey and brown and generally muted in color. Males and females are similar in appearance. Amazing fact, the species is generally, monogamous ( one partner for life) with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents incubate and care for the young. Mourning doves eat almost exclusively seeds, but the young are fed crop m ilk by their parents.
Always amazing to learn about the birds around us. This mourning dove has a soft “coo” sound and I always know when they are around. This photo was snapped at my deck feeder a few years ago, after a snow storm. He is eating a sunflower seed.
These mourning doves are different than than the black pigeons seen in many cities.
Photo ©CarolDM
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Ever seen any type of Dove in your area?
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They have a bingo game on Bingo Bash called “Backyard Birds.” This title is awesome.
Thanks, Carol for an interesting piece about your Mourning dove. We have at least 6 different species of doves. An interesting observation I made recently, is that a certain variety, coos all through the night. They never used to. I wonder, do they coo in shifts? I mean, when do they sleep? This particular bird gives 4 short coo’s and then two longer ones, without fail, it’s always in that sequence 4 short +two long?
They are so beautiful! it is also a great shot!
The cooing sound they make it one of my favorite bird sounds!
Thanks Doc, I love these and the sound they makes is so peaceful.
it really is peaceful is really good right now!
Yes, we all need peace and relaxation now more than ever.
I love this photo and the bird is great.
Thanks, he stayed there at least 15 minutes.
What a lovely dove. I have only seen pigeons here,
Thanks, I love all doves, this is my favorite.
This type of pigeon is very interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a pigeon.
We call them doves and this is my favorite one. Mourning dove.
What a wonderful capture! I have always loved these birds, their voices calm me down and remind me of my childhood.
Same here my friend, such a soothing sound they make.
Here we have many Doves, they are popular birds in my country.
We have pigeons in the city but doves are in my area.
A similar dove lives here, dear Carol … we call it the throat
That is a new name. Not familiar.