Species · GBIF taxon 2495347
Zenaida macroura
zenaida macrouraAlso known as American Mourning Dove, Rain Dove, Turtle Dove, Carolina Pigeon
Mourning doves are slender, medium-sized birds known for their gentle, mournful cooing and swift, direct flight. They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, where they forage on the ground for seeds and grains. During takeoff, their wings produce a distinctive, high-pitched whistling sound that serves as an alarm signal to nearby flock members.
AbundantVocalGranivorous
- diet
- Seeds, grains, and occasionally berries or small insects
- family
- Columbidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, lead poisoning from ingesting spent shot, and outdoor cats
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years on average in the wild, though some survive over a decade
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Provide ground feeders: Scatter millet, cracked corn, or sunflower seeds directly on the ground.
- Listen for wing whistles: Pay attention to the sharp whistling sound made by their wings during takeoff.
- Keep cats indoors: Protect these ground-feeding birds from domestic predators by keeping pets inside.