The mourning dove is a member of the dove family, Columbidae. The bird is also known as the American mourning dove, the rain dove, the chueybird, and colloquially as the turtle dove, and it was once known as the Carolina pigeon and Carolina turtledove. It is one of the most abundant and widespread North American birds and a popular gamebird, with more than 20 million birds shot annually in the U.S., both for sport and 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 88 km/h (55 mph).
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Typical Environment
Found from southern Canada through the United States into Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean. It thrives in open and semi-open habitats including fields, grasslands, desert scrub, woodland edges, suburbs, and agricultural lands. Avoids dense forests and high alpine zones. Frequently uses human-modified landscapes and backyard feeders. Nests in trees, shrubs, and sometimes on ledges or human structures.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 3/5
The mourning dove is one of North America’s most abundant birds and a popular game species, with tens of millions harvested annually. It compensates with prolific breeding; in warm regions a pair can raise multiple broods per year. Its wings produce a distinctive whistling on takeoff and landing, and its mellow, mournful cooing is a familiar backyard sound. A strong flier, it can reach speeds near 88 km/h (55 mph).
Audubon's Carolina pigeon
Mourning dove in California
Mourning dove in Guelph, Ontario, Canada
In Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Adult and squabs in the cactus-protected nest, High Desert (California)
Pair of doves in late winter in Minnesota
Mourning Bird new family, nesting in backyard birdhouse, June 2020, Sunnyvale CA
Mourning dove egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Parent and two chicks in Arizona
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats and audible wing whistle
Social Behavior
Often forms loose flocks outside the breeding season and roosts communally. Generally monogamous during the breeding season; pairs build a simple twig platform nest. Both sexes incubate and feed squabs with nutrient-rich crop milk. Territoriality is modest, focused around the nest site.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A low, mournful cooing phrase, often rendered as hoo-AH-hoo-hoo-hoo, repeated steadily from exposed perches. Wing whistling on takeoff and landing serves as an audible cue and may function in alarm or communication.
