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Mourning Dove
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Zenaida
Species: Zenaida macroura

The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is the most common dove in North America.

Description[]

The Mourning Dove is 31 cm, or 12 in, long. Its plumage is mostly fawn above and beige with a pinkish wash below. It has black spots on its wings and a long, tapering tail with white feather tips. The male has iridescent pink and green feather on the sides of its neck, which the female lacks. The juvenile has heavy spotting and scaling effect on its wings.

Voice[]

The call is a mournful oowoo-woo-woo-woo, hence the species' name.

Behaviour[]

A seed-eating bird, the Mourning Dove is a frequent visitor of bird feeders. The Mourning Dove nests in trees. Both the male and the female contribute in the construction of a flimsy twig platform which often falls apart in a storm. The clutch consists of 2 white eggs, incubated by the male during the day and by the female at night for 13-14 days. Both parents feed their young crop-milk, a regurgitated liquid that pigeons and doves produce. The young fledge at 12-14 days of age. Two broods per year.

Distribution and habitat[]

The Mourning Dove is widespread across the United States, most of Mexico, and southern Canada, and is a resident or partial migrant. It inhabits farmland, meadows, fields, parks and backyards.

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