Identifying birds can be a rewarding hobby, connecting you with nature and enhancing your appreciation for the avian world. Among the many birds you might encounter, the Mourning Dove ( *Zenaida macroura*) is a common and gentle species found throughout North America. Known for its soft, melancholic cooing, the Mourning Dove is a welcome sight in backyards, parks, and open fields. This comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed steps and instructions on how to accurately identify a Mourning Dove, covering its physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and vocalizations.
**Why Learn to Identify Mourning Doves?**
Before diving into the specifics, it’s worth understanding why identifying Mourning Doves can be a worthwhile endeavor:
* **Appreciation for Nature:** Recognizing different bird species enriches your connection to the natural world and fosters a sense of wonder.
* **Birdwatching Skills:** Identifying common birds like the Mourning Dove is a foundational step in developing your birdwatching skills. It helps you learn to pay attention to details and distinguish between species.
* **Conservation Awareness:** Understanding the birds around you can lead to a greater awareness of environmental issues and the importance of conservation efforts.
* **Personal Enjoyment:** Simply knowing the names and habits of the birds you see can bring a sense of peace and enjoyment to your daily life.
**Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying Mourning Doves**
Follow these steps to confidently identify Mourning Doves:
**1. Observe the Overall Size and Shape**
The first step in identifying any bird is to assess its overall size and shape. This gives you a general impression and helps narrow down the possibilities.
* **Size:** Mourning Doves are medium-sized birds, generally measuring between 11 to 13 inches (28 to 33 cm) in length. This is slightly smaller than a pigeon but larger than a sparrow. Think of them as roughly the size of an American Robin.
* **Shape:** They have a slender, graceful body with a small, rounded head. Their long, pointed tail is a key characteristic that sets them apart from other dove species. When perched, the tail often appears quite long in proportion to the body. They possess a relatively small bill. The wings are broad and pointed.
**2. Examine the Plumage Color and Markings**
Plumage color is a crucial identifying factor. Pay close attention to the specific shades and patterns on the bird’s feathers.
* **Overall Color:** Mourning Doves are generally a soft, muted grayish-brown color. The exact shade can vary slightly, but the overall impression is one of subtle earth tones.
* **Head and Neck:** The head and neck are typically a pale grayish-brown, sometimes with a pinkish or buffy wash. There may be a slight iridescence on the neck feathers, especially in males.
* **Wings:** The wings are a darker grayish-brown than the body, with black spots on the wing coverts (the small feathers that cover the base of the flight feathers). These spots are a helpful identifying mark.
* **Tail:** The long, pointed tail is a darker gray than the body, with white outer tail feathers. This white edging is particularly noticeable when the bird is in flight and spreading its tail.
* **Belly:** The belly is usually a lighter buff color, providing a subtle contrast with the darker back and wings.
* **Facial Markings:** Look for a small, dark spot just below and behind the eye. This “ear spot” is a distinctive feature of the Mourning Dove.
**3. Observe the Bird’s Posture and Behavior**
How a bird behaves and carries itself can provide valuable clues to its identity.
* **Perching:** Mourning Doves often perch on wires, fences, or tree branches. They tend to sit upright and still, with their long tails extending downward.
* **Ground Foraging:** They frequently forage on the ground, walking with a distinctive bobbing head movement. They are seed-eaters and can be found picking up seeds from the ground in fields, gardens, and parks.
* **Flight Pattern:** Mourning Doves have a swift, direct flight with rapid wingbeats. When taking off, their wings make a characteristic whistling sound, which can be another clue to their identity.
* **Social Behavior:** They are often seen in pairs or small groups, especially during the breeding season. They are generally not aggressive and tend to be shy and easily startled.
* **Drinking Behavior:** Doves, unlike many other birds, can drink water by sucking it up without tilting their heads back. If you observe a bird drinking in this manner, it’s a good indication it might be a dove.
**4. Listen to the Vocalizations**
The Mourning Dove’s cooing song is one of its most recognizable features. Learning to identify this call can be extremely helpful, especially when the bird is hidden from view.
* **Song:** The song is a soft, drawn-out “coo-OO-oo oo-oo,” with the first coo being louder and slightly higher pitched than the others. It often sounds melancholic or mournful, hence the bird’s name.
* **Variations:** The cooing song can vary slightly depending on the context. Males use the song to attract mates and establish territory. Females may also coo, but their calls are typically softer and less frequent.
* **Other Calls:** In addition to the cooing song, Mourning Doves may also make other calls, such as a soft “per-whoo” sound or a harsher alarm call.
* **Context:** Pay attention to when and where you hear the cooing. It’s most common during the breeding season (spring and summer) and is often heard in the early morning or late afternoon.
**5. Consider the Habitat**
The type of habitat where you see a bird can provide important clues to its identity. Different bird species prefer different environments.
* **Preferred Habitats:** Mourning Doves are adaptable birds and can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, fields, grasslands, parks, gardens, and even urban areas. They are particularly common in areas with scattered trees and shrubs that provide perching and nesting sites.
* **Geographic Range:** They are found throughout North America, from southern Canada to Mexico. They are also found in some parts of Central America and the Caribbean. Their wide distribution makes them one of the most common birds on the continent.
* **Avoid dense forests:** While they can tolerate edges of wooded areas, they generally avoid dense forests. They prefer more open habitats where they can easily forage for seeds.
* **Proximity to Water:** While they don’t require standing water, they need access to water for drinking. You’re more likely to find them near streams, ponds, or bird baths.
**6. Distinguishing Mourning Doves from Similar Species**
It’s important to be aware of other bird species that might be confused with Mourning Doves. Here are a few common look-alikes and how to tell them apart:
* **Eurasian Collared-Dove (*Streptopelia decaocto*):** This introduced species is becoming increasingly common in North America and can resemble the Mourning Dove. However, Eurasian Collared-Doves are larger, have a squarer tail, and possess a distinctive black collar on the back of their neck. Their cooing song is also different, consisting of a series of three-syllable “coo-COO-coos.”
* **Rock Pigeon (*Columba livia*):** Rock Pigeons (also known as Feral Pigeons) are much larger and bulkier than Mourning Doves. They also come in a wide variety of colors, including gray, black, white, and brown, while Mourning Doves are consistently grayish-brown. The tail of a rock pigeon is shorter and fan-shaped.
* **Inca Dove (*Columbina inca*):** Found primarily in the southwestern United States, the Inca Dove is smaller and more slender than the Mourning Dove. It has a scaled appearance on its feathers and a longer tail that it often carries cocked upward. Their cooing is a repetitive “no hope” sound.
* **Common Ground-Dove (*Columbina passerina*):** This small dove, also found in the southern United States, is much smaller and more compact than the Mourning Dove. It has a reddish-brown color and black spots on its wings. The tail is short and rounded. Its call is a soft, drawn-out “coo.”
**Tools and Resources for Bird Identification**
To enhance your bird identification skills, consider using the following tools and resources:
* **Field Guides:** A good field guide is an essential tool for any birder. Look for guides that include detailed descriptions, illustrations, and range maps. Popular options include the Sibley Guide to Birds, the Peterson Field Guide to Birds, and the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America.
* **Binoculars:** A good pair of binoculars will allow you to get a closer look at birds, making it easier to identify their features. Choose binoculars with a magnification of 8x or 10x for optimal viewing.
* **Bird Identification Apps:** There are many bird identification apps available for smartphones and tablets. These apps can help you identify birds based on their appearance, song, or location. Some popular apps include Merlin Bird ID, iBird Pro, and Audubon Bird Guide.
* **Online Resources:** Numerous websites and online communities are dedicated to birdwatching and identification. These resources can provide you with additional information, photos, and recordings of bird songs. Some popular websites include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds, the Audubon Society’s website, and eBird.
* **Local Birdwatching Groups:** Joining a local birdwatching group can be a great way to learn from experienced birders and discover new birding locations. These groups often organize field trips and workshops.
**Tips for Successful Bird Identification**
Here are some additional tips to help you become a more successful bird identifier:
* **Practice Regularly:** The more you practice identifying birds, the better you will become at it. Spend time observing birds in your backyard, local park, or other natural areas.
* **Focus on Key Features:** When identifying a bird, focus on the key features that distinguish it from other species. These features might include the bird’s size, shape, color, markings, behavior, habitat, and song.
* **Take Notes:** Keep a notebook or journal to record your bird sightings. Note the date, time, location, and any identifying features of the birds you see.
* **Take Photos:** If possible, take photos of the birds you see. Photos can be helpful for later identification or for sharing with other birders.
* **Be Patient:** Bird identification can be challenging, especially for beginners. Don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes. Just keep practicing and learning.
* **Use the Process of Elimination:** If you’re unsure of a bird’s identity, try using the process of elimination. Consider the possibilities based on the bird’s size, shape, color, and habitat, and then eliminate those that don’t fit.
* **Learn Bird Songs:** Spend time learning the songs of common birds in your area. Bird songs can be a valuable tool for identification, especially when the bird is hidden from view.
* **Consider the Season:** The time of year can affect the appearance and behavior of birds. For example, some birds may have different plumage colors in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season.
**Fun Facts About Mourning Doves**
* Mourning Doves are one of the most abundant birds in North America, with an estimated population of over 350 million.
* They are monogamous and often mate for life. Both parents participate in raising the young.
* Mourning Doves can produce up to six broods per year in warmer climates.
* Their diet consists primarily of seeds, but they may also eat grains, fruits, and insects.
* They are fast fliers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.
* Mourning Doves are hunted as game birds in many states.
* They have a special gland above their stomach that produces “crop milk,” a nutrient-rich substance that they feed to their young.
**Conclusion**
Identifying Mourning Doves is a rewarding experience that can deepen your appreciation for the natural world. By paying attention to their size, shape, plumage, behavior, habitat, and vocalizations, you can confidently identify these gentle and common birds. So, grab your binoculars, head outdoors, and start exploring the fascinating world of birds! Remember to be patient, observant, and enjoy the process of discovery.