If you want to get into bird watching, you should know how to identify Mourning Doves.These birds are common throughout North America and are known for their call and appearance.There are many ways to identify a mourning dove.
Step 1: Check the bird's coloring.
Doves have tan or grayish-brown bodies with lighter coloring on their chests.Their wings have dark spots on them, often nearly black, and their tail feathers are darker than their body color, with white tips and edges.Adult males and females have different head feathers, with some having a bluish tint to theirs and others have a pink hue.The dark brown or black beak, bright reddish- pink feet, and light turquoise flesh around the eyes are some of the distinguishing features of Mourning Doves.
Step 2: The bird's size is important.
Adult Mourning Doves range from 23 to 34 cm in length from beak to tip of the tail, with females slightly shorter than males by a few centimeters.The weight range is between 86 and 170 grams, with males being heavier than females.An adult Mourning Dove has a 45 cm wingspan.
Step 3: Determine the bird's proportions and body shape.
The round head of the mourning dove looks too small for it's body.These birds are slender and delicate in appearance, with a smooth body profile from head to tail and a round chest.The length of the Mourning Dove's beak is only about a third of its head.Even when fully extended, the Mourning Dove has relatively short legs.
Step 4: The bird's tail is visible.
The tail of the Mourning Doves is long and long.This is one of the features that can be used to distinguish between Mourning Doves and some of their close relatives, as no other North American dove has this feature.The pointed tail of the Mourning Dove does not fan out when the bird is standing still.
Step 5: Take a moment to note your location.
There are habitats for mourning doves all over the United States, from southern Central America to southern Canada.They are found on the Caribbean and Hawaiian islands, but their exact range varies with climate and terrain.It is not likely that mourning doves will be found in extreme northern regions.There is nothing for mourning doves to eat in extreme desert environments.
Step 6: The time of the year is observed.
The habitats and geographical locations of the Mourning Doves change with the time of year.You may not be able to find these birds in the winter season.The summer breeding season in Canada is when the mourning doves are found.They are found in Central America in greatest numbers during winter, but not in the summer.In the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S., the Mourning Dove occupation is limited to more southern latitudes.
Step 7: Consider environmental conditions.
swamps and dense forests are not usually where mourning doves are found.Grassland, brush fields, farm areas, and sparse forests are where these birds prefer to live.They can be found in high elevation mountain habitats during the warmer months if the vegetation is not too dense.The Mourning Doves can be seen perching on telephone wires and similar overhead structures in dense urban areas.
Step 8: The nests are made of twigs and sticks.
The Mourning Doves are usually made of whatever vegetation can be found nearby.The Mourning Dove nest can be found from the ground to high tree branches, but they are not fond of dense tree canopies.The loose construction of the Mourning Dove's nest leaves gaps between twigs that are large enough that an observer can spot their eggs when the nest is viewed from below.
Step 9: Lower elevation regions are where to stay.
If you want to find and identify the Mourning Doves, you should look for them at lower altitudes.The birds prefer open areas without a lot of trees.Unless you are looking for Mourning Doves in the mountains of Washington, California or the Rockies, this isn't likely to be a big deal.
Step 10: Listen for their sad call.
The call of the mourning doves is so sad that they're given this name.Each time, the call sounds like it's hitting its highest pitch on the "whoo" syllable.Similar sounds can be heard coming from other birds, such as their warning call and the female's soft coo, when a male calls.The calls can be heard in the spring and summer.
Step 11: Look for pairs that are nested.
During the spring and summer months, Mourning Doves nest in pairs, but migrate in flocks during autumn and winter.If you are looking for these birds during the breeding season, you will most likely see them hanging out in pairs, even if other Doves are nearby.Immature Doves join flocks before the end of the breeding season, but are not joined by adult birds until the migration season approaches.Small groups of mourning doves feed together.
Step 12: Determine the bird's flight.
Even from take-off, the Mourning Doves have a smooth flight.The path of a Mourning Dove's flight is usually a straight line, with minimal swooping and swerving.The rapid beating of the Dove's wings when it takes off produces a high-pitched whistling noise, which fades as the bird gains speed.
Step 13: The bird is feeding.
Doves eat seeds found on the ground.These birds prefer open habitats with sparse vegetation.Grains and weed seeds are easy to find in the agricultural fields where mourning doves feed.If you put up a bird seed feeders or spread seed on the ground, you are likely to see these birds in your own yard.