| The Mourning Dove is the most abundant and | | | | and are found in a wide variety of habitats. |
| widely hunted bird in the United States. Morality | | | | They are found in open woodlands and forest |
| is high among doves. Mourning Doves are hunted | | | | areas near fields and grass lands. They are |
| in thirty eight states. More Mourning Doves are | | | | abundant in agricultural and suburban areas where |
| killed each year-over twenty million- than any | | | | humans have created suitable habitats. |
| other animal in the country. Although, dove | | | | Mourning Doves eat almost exclusively seeds |
| hunting serves no wildlife management purpose, | | | | which make up 97% of their diet. Rarely, do |
| many view the birds as nothing more than live | | | | they eat snails or insects. They often swallow |
| targets. Doves are not over populated. Doves | | | | grit such as sand or small gravel to assist with |
| are not a viable human food source. During the | | | | digestion. These birds generally eat enough to fill |
| hunting season, doves are actually at their lightest | | | | their crops and fly away to digest while resting. |
| body weight for the entire year. Even if shot | | | | During courtship the male bird leads the female to |
| properly, doves have very little edible flesh on | | | | potential nest sites and the female will choose |
| them. Research studies confirm nearly one in | | | | one. The male will gather materials for a bird |
| three birds are wounded and not retrieved during | | | | nest and bring it to her. The male will then stand |
| hunting season. Despite the hunters, the dove | | | | on the females back and give it to her so she can |
| remains among the ten most abundant birds in | | | | weave it into the nest. The nest is flimsy |
| the United States. | | | | constructed, made of blades of grass, twigs and |
| Mourning Doves are the traditional bird of peace | | | | confer needles. Most nests are in trees, but |
| and a beloved backyard songbird. They sing a | | | | they can be found in shrubs or on the ground. |
| song that sounds like coo oooo woo woo woo | | | | The female, almost always, lays two eggs. The |
| oooo. They delight millions of birdwatchers or | | | | eggs are small and white. Sometimes she will lay |
| those who lure the gentle birds to their backyard. | | | | her eggs in the nest of another pair of doves. |
| Mourning doves are light grey and brown and | | | | Mourning Doves are devoted parents. They |
| generally muted in color. Their tail has white | | | | rarely leave the nest unattended. The male sits |
| outer edges. Male and female birds are similar in | | | | on the eggs from morning to afternoon, with the |
| appearance with the males slightly larger and | | | | female taking over the rest of the day and |
| more colorful, with a blueish crown and pink | | | | night. |
| chest. In flight, the bird’s wings make a | | | | Incubation of the eggs takes approximately two |
| fluttery whistling sound. The Dove’s are | | | | weeks. In warm areas, these birds may raise up |
| considered a medium size, slender bird with a | | | | to six broods in a season. The mourning dove is |
| small head and tapered tail. The feet and legs | | | | monogamous and they form strong pair bonds. |
| are light red to light purple, with three toes | | | | Pairs typically reconvene in the same area in the |
| forward and one reversed. | | | | next breeding season. Sometimes they remain |
| The mourning doves are highly adaptable birds | | | | together for the entire winter. |