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Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

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Zenaida macroura by DebinSC
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Order
Columbiformes
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Zenaida
Species
macroura
Regional

This bird has been reportedly found in the following regions:

Albertville, Alabama

Auburn, Alabama

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Brentwood, California

Canoga Park, California

Fort Bragg, California

Highland, California

Martinez, California

Menifee, California

Sacramento, California

San Diego, California(2 reports)

San Francisco, California(2 reports)

Glade Park, Colorado

North Haven, Connecticut

Wilmington, Delaware

Big Pine Key, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hollywood, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Merritt Island, Florida

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Trenton, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Augusta, Georgia

Cornelia, Georgia

Douglasville, Georgia

Hephzibah, Georgia

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Algonquin, Illinois

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Grayslake, Illinois

Madison, Illinois

Rock Falls, Illinois

Westchester, Illinois

Coatesville, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Sioux City, Iowa

Yale, Iowa

Olathe, Kansas

Gilbertsville, Kentucky

Hebron, Kentucky

Melbourne, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Greenwell Springs, Louisiana

Monroe, Louisiana

Bishopville, Maryland

Linthicum Heights, Maryland

Halifax, Massachusetts

Belleville, Michigan

Mattawan, Michigan

Paw Paw, Michigan

Remus, Michigan

Albertville, Minnesota

Hamel, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Canton, Mississippi

Golden, Mississippi

Marietta, Mississippi

Natchez, Mississippi

Brunswick, Missouri

Cole Camp, Missouri

Conway, Missouri

Jackson, Missouri

Saint Louis, Missouri

Cut Bank, Montana

Fort Benton, Montana

Lincoln, Nebraska

Warner, New Hampshire

Beachwood, New Jersey

Bridgeton, New Jersey

Palmyra, New Jersey

Willingboro, New Jersey

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Himrod, New York

La Fayette, New York

Livingston Manor, New York

Pittsford, New York

Rochester, New York

Staten Island, New York

Sunnyside, New York

Yonkers, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Oxford, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Medora, North Dakota

Bay Village, Ohio

Carrollton, Ohio

Columbiana, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio

Lebanon, Ohio

North Ridgeville, Ohio

Oak Harbor, Ohio

Norman, Oklahoma

Bend, Oregon

Gold Hill, Oregon

Hillsboro, Oregon

Mill City, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Meshoppen, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Saint Helena Island, South Carolina

Summerville, South Carolina

Clarksville, Tennessee

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

La Follette, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee

Summertown, Tennessee

Austin, Texas(2 reports)

Baytown, Texas

Euless, Texas

Geronimo, Texas

Granger, Texas

Houston, Texas(2 reports)

La Joya, Texas

Leander, Texas

Magnolia, Texas

Mc Kinney, Texas

Mcallen, Texas(2 reports)

Mission, Texas

Red Oak, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(3 reports)

South Padre Island, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Sandy, Utah

Essex Junction, Vermont

Hurt, Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia

Sterling, Virginia

Walkerton, Virginia

Stanwood, Washington

Charles Town, West Virginia

Appleton, Wisconsin

Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:
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15 positives 1 neutral 2 negatives
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l

lightyellow

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL | November 2017 | Positive
Love these birds, very pretty but subtly so. They are very strong and fast fliers, the nervous giggle noise they make when they fly is actually the sound of their wings affecting the sound barrier.

Most of the birds in my yard are accustomed to me but these remain nervous which finally made sense once I read these are the most hunted bird in the US.
A

AFinSD

San Diego, CA | January 2017 | Positive
This bird is commonly seen in San Diego. However, one of the best sightings of it that my spouse and I saw was at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, CA.

The dove was nestled in among a cactus in the plant propagation area. We got great pictures of it.
C

Chillybean

(Zone 5a) | November 2014 | Positive
This is one of my favorite birds... I have so many, but I really have a soft spot for this dear.

Yes, they poop, but so do we. Think of the environmental imact ofthat. Yes, they eat a lot, but they eat the cheap and expensive seed alike. AND they eat the whole seed, so do not leave that mess behind.

I like nearly everything about them, from their soft eyes down to their pink feet. About the only thing I do not like is when they scare the wits out of me with their wing whistles as they fly off in fright. I inadvertantly give them the nerves as I pass by the unseen doves.

It is interesting watching the parents feed the young. The juveniles will flap their wings as other birds do, and make the softest of coos as they beg. But inst... read more
W

WV_Gardener

Charles Town, WV (Zone 6b) | August 2012 | Positive
I really enjoy my morning doves here in WV panhandle. I guess I've been very lucky, because they don't bother my hanging feeders. They just eat what ever falls from the feeders. They nest in two trees in my yard and I've had a great time watching from nrsting to the babies time to leave the nest. Mom & dad work so hard together to get them started in life...makes me smile:)
n

nutsaboutnature

Algonquin, IL (Zone 5a) | January 2011 | Positive
We have these wonderful birds all year in our zone 5a area of Northern Illinois.

They're a gentile, non-aggressive bird. We love listening to their "cooing" as well as the whistling sound of their wings. They're not at all fussy about food & will happily eat the seeds that the other birds ignore.

We once had a female build a nest in a clay flower pot tray on an upstairs balcony. It wasn't even spring yet & there was a lot of snow on the ground. She was quite content & we felt it was about the safest place for her (Doves aren't known for their nest-building abilities) so we watched while she laid her eggs & eventually hatched her beautiful babies. One-by-one in early Spring they got up enough nerve to fly up to the railing & take off. They returned regula... read more
B

BajaBlue

Rancho Santa Rita, TX (Zone 8a) | October 2010 | Positive
I ewmwmbwe rhis bird from
my childhood. We lived in a
home surrounded by citrus
groves and the cooing was
a sign that the doves were
present.

Nowadays we have oaks &
sweet gums and pines and
just in the past year or so
have been hearing the doves
cooing. It is a very soothing
and conforting sound , so
wionderful to wake up to
each morning.
l

laurieny

Sandy, UT | May 2010 | Positive
We have had a pair of doves stay with us the last 3 years, showing up in March and staying on until November. Have never seen their nest or any young ones-though we have had many other species born within our view. Besides enjoying their coo with an early morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, we appreciate their efforts at keeping the ground free of all the seed the others spill out of our feeders! They seem to share the ground bounty with the dozen or so quail that wander about our neighborhood fairly amicably. They have become pretty comfortable with us, flying up to the second floor deck and strutting around looking for spilled seeds even if we are just a couple of feet away.
J

Juttah

Tucson, AZ (Zone 8a) | May 2010 | Positive
It's amazing how devoted Mourning Doves are to their eggs and offspring. The male sits on the eggs all day, and in the evening his partner shows up for "shift change." Next morning, the male comes back to relieve his mate. I wonder how he finds time to feed himself, being that he's on the nest during daylight feeding hours. There is always one parent in attendance from the moment all eggs are laid (usually 2) until the young are halfway fledged. I was surprised to see the youngsters return to their nest for several nights after they fledged. I always thought birds never return to the nest once they leave it, but I've observed this behavior twice now.
m

madebymarni

Kenosha, WI (Zone 6a) | April 2010 | Positive
We love having these birds around. We love their "call". We have a pair nesting on our porch as I write this! Look forward to watching them have their babies.
G

Gardennot

Willingboro, NJ | February 2010 | Negative
These birds may be pleasant to look at. But overall they are little piggies in disguise. They will rest in your garden, on your lawn, in your trees, on your roof, and power lines. Their droppings are large and difficult to clean off your car, and patio furniture. Shoo them away!!!
w

weedsfree

Magna, UT (Zone 7a) | January 2010 | Positive
I agree with buddyd. It took a couple of years for these birds to come to our property, after we moved in. We always have a mating pair every spring and that is all. They share with the other birds and do not fight for food. They seem to watch over the other birds while they eat.
b

birder17

Jackson, MO (Zone 6b) | October 2009 | Negative
I don't care for this bird. It sets in my feeders and eats a lot of seed.
T

TheHackster

Columbus, GA (Zone 8a) | August 2009 | Positive
Pleasant birds to view. All appear to be "over-weight" to me - plump birds. Now and then I'll see one have a conflict with another - I guess one was trespassing on the turf of the aggressor. . They are most often found under my feeders eating the spillage.

Hack
b

buddyd

Highland, CA | April 2009 | Positive
There is a pair of these lovely birds that hang around the perimeter of my property, sometimes coming to the feeder in my backyard. I find them extremely shy and skittish, flying off at the slightest sound. However, they're never too far away and can be heard singing most of the day. They have pale taupe-colored feathers trimmed in white with red eyes. They pose no problem and are fun to have around. Lynnmarie
s

sonnet

Hamel, MN | March 2009 | Positive
Here in Minnesota (just West of the Twin Cities) the Mourning Dove is a sign of spring. They summer here but are absent in the particularly cold winters. They also come earlier than the robins, being able to tolerate colder temperaures than the robins do. Just this week (March) I began to see a few at the feeder again - what joy to know that spring must be returning at last!

They will eat up at the feeder but prefer to eat spilled seed scattered on the ground.

Oh, and they torment my poor dog, who would dearly LOVE to try and catch them!
N

NM_Jane

Las Cruces, NM | December 2008 | Neutral
The cooing of these birds is peaceful and relaxing; but they can become pests in a hurry. They'll eat everything in sight and poop all over the place (cars windows, patio furniture, etc.).

A couple of them would be fine to have around; but they multiply like rabbits. I started out with just a few mourning doves several years ago. Now, I have over 50 of them that try to hog all the food in my ground feeders. I frequently have to just shoo them away so my quail can get something too eat too.
s

synda

Carrollton, OH (Zone 6a) | December 2008 | Positive
The Mourning Dove Is a very pleasant bird to have in your yard.The gentle cooing is very calming.And they love to clean up all of the feed on the ground that the other birds drop from the feeders.I was amazed that the babies are born with down already on there little bodies,until I seen it myself.
p

plantladylin

(Zone 1) | December 2008 | Positive
The Mourning Dove is a very common bird in my area, in abundance year round, and numbers increase greatly in winter months with migrants from the north.

One of my favorite birds with it's peaceful, lovely cooing song.
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