Male and female mourning doves look similar with grayish-brown backs, buff-colored undersides, black spots on the wings and behind the eye, and white feathers in the tail, which show during flight. Juveniles can be distinguished from adults by light buffing on the tips of the primary feathers, which persist until the first molt. By the age of 3 months, it is difficult for the casual observer to distinguish the difference between young and adult doves.

Distribution

The Mourning Dove is the most widespread and abundant game bird in North America. Despite being hunted throughout most of its range, it remains among the 10 most abundant birds in the United States.

Behavior

Nesting begins in March and ends in September. Mourning Doves nest in in a wide variety of trees and shrubs, or on the ground. Nests are constructed of twigs placed on branches of a tree or shrub or tree, at the base of yuccas, clumps of cactus, or directly on the ground. A nest once constructed is often used repeatedly. Mourning Doves tend to construct loose and flimsy nests. High winds and rainstorms often destroy many of them. To provide secure nesting sites, wire cone nesting structures can be placed where tree limbs fork 6 to 15 ft above the ground. This practice is most useful in regions were high winds and large open areas are common. Two or more clutches of 2 eggs each are produced annually. Length of Incubation ranges from 13 to 14 days, time to fledge ranges from 12 to 14 days, and number of broods per year ranges from 2 to 3, but occasionally from 3 to 6. Young are fed "pigeon milk" and later seeds. Pigeon milk comes from fatty cells shed from the epithelial tissues in the female's crop. Typical pigeon milk contains about 74% water, 12% protein, 10% fat, 2% other nitrogen compounds, 2% ash, and no carbohydrates.

Diet

Mourning Doves feed almost exclusively on seeds from a wide variety of native forbs and grasses. Annual sunflowers, croton, ragweed, annual grasses, and waste grains such as wheat, milo, and oats are common food items. Mourning Dove require water daily. Prefer shorelines and banks without vegetation. Where water is limited or absent, development of water sources is desirable, catchment ponds, guzzlers, windmills, spring developments.

Habitat

Mourning Dove are highly mobile species. They are capable of moving considerable distances to sources of free water. During late summer and early fall, large concentrations of mourning doves may be attracted to agricultural fields to feed on waste grain or patches of native annual sunflowers and other forbs. Excessive and prolonged hunting may result in movements of local populations of birds to other nearby fields. Cultivation of agricultural fields during August in preparation for planting of fall cereal grains often reduces food availability and increased movement of mourning doves to other areas. Large scale clearing of trees and brush may also reduce nesting habitat for resident mourning doves. Mourning Doves prefer tall shrubs and trees for nesting and loafing.