photo by: Dave Hillstad
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Family Columbidae (Pigeons, doves):
Mourning Doves have relatively small heads & bills & short legs. All are direct straight fliers and feed mainly on grains, seeds, & fruits. All give low “cooing” calls.
Habitat: common & widespread in suburban & agricultural lands with a mix of open ground & brushy cover. Usually in small groups. Often on overhead wires or on lawns. Year-round resident in WA.
Description:
- Adult: black spot below eye
- Back spots on upper wing
- Small head
- Long tapered tail; Tail feathers have white tips
- Wings narrow & pointed: whistle on takeoff
Food: seeds and grains. Often forages on the ground.
Call: a mournful hooting
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- photo by: Lisa Robinson
