Animal-World > Birds > Doves - Pigeons > Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove ~ Carolina Dove American Mourning Dove
Carolina Pigeon, Carolina Turtledove

Family: Columbidae

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Zenaida macroura marginellaPhoto Courtesy Jamie Wertz - The Tweetery

     The Mourning Dove, also known as the Carolina Dove, is the most abundant dove in the United States!

     The Mourning Dove makes a great aviary pet. It is not normally handled as it is a bit flighty and high-strung. It will not take to a cage well but in an aviary it is very hardy and easy to breed. Generally docile, tolerant, and peaceful it can be kept with such birds as waxbills, larger finches, and canaries. Being a ground feeder it will pick up seeds dropped by the other birds.

     A fairly attractive bird, the Mourning Dove has a slender build and a long tail. The habitat of this little bird covers a good portion of Northern and Central America. Most of us are very familiar it. Not only is the Mourning Dove the most widely hunted and harvested game bird, but we will often see one in our backyard or in the city park. It is probably this familiarity that makes it less popular to keep than some of its more exotic cousins.

     While it is a game bird in some states, in other states it is protected as a songbird. Be sure to check your state and local restrictions before acquiring a Mourning Dove.

For more information about the care of Doves and Pigeons see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Doves & Pigeons.

Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura

Subspecies:

• Zenaida macroura macroura
• Zenaida macroura marginella
• Zenaida macroura carolinensis
• Zenaida macroura turturilla

Subspecies (tentative position):

• Zenaida macroura bella
• Zenaida macroura carolensis
• Zenaida macroura clarionensis
• Zenaida macroura carolinensis>marginella
• Zenaida macroura graysoni
• Zenaida macroura marginella>carolinensis
• Zenaida macroura x marginella

Distribution:      Mourning Doves are found from southern Canada down to western Panama and on some of the Caribbean Islands. There are six subspecies. They inhabit lightly wooded areas as well as parks and gardens in cities and towns.

Description:       The Mourning Dove is a slim bird with a small head and a long, pointed tail. Adults are about 12 inches (30 cm) in length and will weigh about 5 oz (140 g).      It has a gray-brownish color overall with a more sandy buff colored abdomen. The crown, back of the neck, and the nape are slate and the face and breast have a pinkish cast. There is a rather purplish area to the sides of the neck and a small black spot. The outer tail feathers are tipped in white and they have a black marking midway up. There are also black spots on the wings. The legs are reddish and there is a bluish ring around the eye.      The female has more brownish coloring overall and on the male, the purplish area on the neck is larger.

Care and feeding:     They are quite hardy. If they are kept outdoors and are accustomed to cold weather, they can take below freezing temperatures for a short period of time.           A good finch or parakeet seed mix supplemented with greens rich in minerals, vitamins, and calcium is a fine diet. They not only enjoy their greens, but will also enjoy spray millet and such things as crumbled cornmeal and bread. Grit is essential as Mourning Doves swallow their food whole, and it helps grind up the food. Oyster shell or even cuttlebone can be added for calcium and is important for egg layers.      See About Doves & Pigeons: Housing and About Doves & Pigeons: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:      Being very peaceful and tolerant, Mourning Doves can be kept with such birds as waxbills, larger finches, and canaries. They form permanent pairs and mates do well if kept together.      See About Doves & Pigeons: Social Behaviors for more information on social behaviors of doves and pigeons.

Activities:          They need plenty of room as they get their exercise through short flights about the aviary

Breeding/Reproduction:      Mourning Doves are easy to breed but they are rather flimsy nest builders, so it is best to provide them with an open nesting container and some nesting materials. The female will lay two eggs which hatch after about 13 days. The young will fledge in about 16 or 17 days      See About Doves & Pigeons: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:    These birds are hardy and healthy if provided with a good environment and a good diet. Avoid an environment that is wet, cool, and drafty.      See About Doves & Pigeons: Potential Problems for information on health.

Availability: Though a game bird in some states, in other states it is protected as a songbird. Be sure to check your state and local restrictions before acquiring a Mourning Dove or collecting one from the wild.

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Latest Comments
We are nursing an injured dove back to health and want to make sure it has every chance, including the right diet. We have a hanging feeder, and noticed that doves always appear on the ground below the feeder when other birds are in it. We suspected they might need grit, but were not sure. Thank you. Ed Baumbach 2006-08-25
We put a artificial tree on our front porch. My daughter kept noticing the Dove flying in an out with materials. Well low an behold we noticed a nest with two eggs then two baby doves. What an experience. New Castle De. fallon johnson 2006-06-08
I have 10000000 doves feeding at my feeder .Ha Gabriel Parsons 2006-02-20
We live in Woodstock, Ontario. For the last 3 years we have had the pleasure of watching these beautiful birds nesting in a hanging basket on our patio. This year they are on the 4th sitting. Ursel Pierre 2005-09-06
I am in Alberta Canada and have 2 of these beautiful birds feeding at the feeder this summer we have really enjoyed them visiting. D. Dotzler 2005-08-29
Some of the coolest comments:
We found Ginger 3 years ago with a broken wing from a bullet. My son and I brought her to many places around town and none would treat her. They all told us to euthanize her. When I explained the word to my son he was devastated. The look on his face broke my heart, so I told him I would call our vet. This wonderful man cleaned and taped her wing down to heal, and sent us on our way with antibiotics and a return appointment for the following week. When we arrived, he had a look of pure amazement on his face! It seems that he had given Ginger less than a 20% chance of surviving that week. Not only had she survived, but she was "a whole new bird". She wasn't expected to be able to fly again. She can for short distances. We communicate with each other with coos, bell ringing (you should see her go), and a few other sounds she makes (I can't describe). At times she will stand at the door of her cage face to face with me and we'll make noises back and forth and have a real conversation! I am glad I invested the time and money in healing this beautiful bird. I thank God for our talented vet and our discussion about all God's creatures deserving a chance! Pat G 2008-03-07
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I have just taken in a injured dove who had a slim chance of surviving, but with this diet and the right environment i'm sure she will be just fine. thanks for the information. Mary-Ann 2006-09-20

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