Mourning Dove
- Anne Longman
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Week of 03.17.25
Small, round birds with tan and grey markings, mourning doves are a staple in most backyards. These birds can be found in every single state in the lower 48 year round. Identifying features include beady black eyes, smooth feathers, and round heads. They can commonly be found at the base of a bird feeder eating seeds, or sitting on a power line calling out into the day.
Mourning doves forage, meaning they root around on the ground for things to eat instead of hunting. They have the unique ability to drink brackish, or slightly salty water, unlike most animals. This adaptation is part of the reason they are able to survive nationwide. Doves of all kinds (and pigeons!) also have the unique ability to drink through their beak like a straw. Most birds must sip on water and tilt their heads back to drink. Being able to do this quickly makes a mourning dove less vulnerable to attacks while eating and drinking. Doves linger at water sources for less time, and can retain a clear field of view while their head is down in the liquid. Mourning doves produce a jelly like substance which is then regurgitated for their babies to eat. This only lasts for a few days, but is fairly unique to the species. These little birds have lots of interesting adaptations!
Did you know: mourning doves will store food in their throats until they have found a safe place to finish eating.
Mourning doves are best known for the sounds they make. Their main call is a soft and drawn out series of tones. When foraging for food, they make small cooing noises, similar to that of a pigeon. When taking off into the air, they make frantic high pitched noises that blend with the loud sound of their flapping wings.
Despite usually being spotted in the early hours of the day, mourning doves do not get their name from the “morning”, but rather the “mourning”, or sadness, heard in the sounds they make.
Mourning doves are known to make flimsy and haphazard nests. They are not picky about location or safety concerns. You can see some of the best places people have found nests in posts online, ranging from patio furniture to literally just on the ground. Here, someone on Reddit found a nest on their car.
If you’re heading to work soon, check your hood for a dove before you leave, and…
Have a great week!
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Sources:
Art by Anne Longman
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