mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)
CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.
IDENTIFICATION:
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Length: 10.5 inches
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Sexes similar
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Medium-sized, somewhat slender dove with very thin neck
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Black bill
Adult:
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Pale buff-brown head, neck, breast, and belly
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Purple and green iridescence on neck
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small black mark on lower neck
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Medium brown back and upperwings, with large black spots on coverts
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Long tail is pointed at tip
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Dark brown tail with white tips to outer four tail feathers
Juvenile:
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Dark brown mottled head neck and breast
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Scaly neck and upperwings with numerous black spots on coverts and scapulars
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Pale belly
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Medium length tail is pointed at tip
Similar species:
Long pointed tail is distinctive for adults, while black spotting on coverts
and pale color help distinguish it from white-winged and white-tipped
doves. Juvenile is easily confused with common ground-dove and Inca
dove, but is longer necked, shows a pointed tail with more white at edges
and lacks cinnamon in primaries.
LIFE HISTORY
Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Urban
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 2
Length of Incubation: 13-14 days
Days to Fledge: 12-14
Number of Broods: 2-3, occasionally 3-6
Diet: Almost exclusively seeds
SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE
Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.
Relative abundance
C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
numbers.
O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
sometimes low numbers.
R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.
Seasonal Occurrence
Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
Su - Summer: June, July, August C
Fall: September, October, November C
Winter: December, January, February C
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