Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

Family Columbidae (Pigeons, doves):

Mourning Doves have relatively small heads & bills & short legs. All are direct straight fliers and feed mainly on grains, seeds, & fruits. All give low “cooing” calls.

Habitat: common & widespread in suburban & agricultural lands with a mix of open ground & brushy cover. Usually in small groups. Often on overhead wires or on lawns. Year-round resident in WA.

Description:

• Adult: black spot below eye
• Back spots on upper wing
• Small head
• Long tapered tail; Tail feathers have white tips
• Wings narrow & pointed: whistle on takeoff

Food: seeds and grains. Often forages on the ground.

Call: a mournful hooting