Photo by Roy Lukes, Door County Pulse
These stunning birds can be found throughout North America, but especially within the continental United States The average adult mourning dove sports grey-brown feathers with black spots along the wings, with feathers underneath that could be described as cream or light-peach-colored. A notable feature is their stunning dark eyes, ringed by a striking blue-grey. The iconic call of the mourning dove can be compared to a lament--a drawn-out wail that could be mistaken for a hoot if not paying attention.
One way to identify an approaching mourning dove is to listen for the whistling sound of their flapping wings as they swoop in for landing.
The habitat of mourning doves requires open woodlands, however they can regularly be found within your neighborhood, nesting in a tree, or perhaps on your deck or in a door wreath.
The way of the mourning dove is to find a place that is safe for them to make their nests and shield themselves from the elements as well as common predators.
Should a mourning dove choose your yard as a nesting ground, note that they are ground foragers, eating mainly seeds such as millet.
As is a good tip for those who like birds, bread is not a sufficient treat for many birds, and the mourning dove is no exception. You can find bird seed that suits doves and other small birds at pet stores and grocery stores, depending on your area.
As the host of a pair of mourning doves who have made their Springtime nest on my back deck, I have grown fond of these birds and love to hear them in the early morning. The pair on my deck successfully reared a couple of baby birds this season, and I am very proud!
Information sourced from All About Birds
First Mourning Dove photographed by Roy Lukes as part of an article for the Door County Pulse
"Mourning Dove" Photographed by Matt Felperin as contribution to the Cornell Lab Macaulay Library