enlarge + Mourning Dove © Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Pigeon-like Birds

Mourning Dove  Zenaida macroura

Family: Pigeons and Doves, Columbidae

Audio: Martyn Stewart, © Naturesound.org

An estimated 4% of the species' North American breeding range lies within the Boreal Forest.

Description  12" (30 cm). Soft, sandy buff with a long pointed tail bordered with white. Black spots on wings.

Habitat  Open fields, parks, and lawns with many trees and shrubs.

Nesting  2 white eggs in a loosely made nest of sticks and twigs placed in low bushes and tall trees, more rarely on the ground.

Voice  Low mournful (hence its name) coo-ah, coo, coo, coo.

Range  Breeds from southeastern Alaska, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick southward to Mexico and Panama. Winters north to northern United States.

Discussion  This abundant bird has increased with the cutting of forests and burning off of grass. The Mourning Dove is common in rural areas in all parts of the United States, as well as city parks and, in winter, suburban feeders. In some states it is hunted as a game bird while in others it is protected as a songbird. Its species name, macroura, is Greek for "long-tailed." The young are fed regurgitated, partially digested food known as pigeon milk.