Mourning Dove (also known as the Carolina Dove or American Mourning Dove)

The Mourning Dove is a slender, medium-sized dove with a graceful tail and a soft, muted plumage coloration of greyish-brown with iridescent patches on the neck. It is famous for its haunting, owl-like cooing calls and swift, whistling flight.

Soft grayish-brown or pinkish-grey tone with a distinct pale white shaft (rachis) running along the upper portion, creating a characteristic highlight.

Intermediate structure combining pennaceous barbs near the rachis with long, loose, plumulaceous barbules toward the edges, lacking effective hooklets, giving it a soft and fluffy appearance.

Soft, silky, and somewhat fluffy due to the lack of rigid interlinking barbules on the outer edges.

Soft greyish-brown body contour with a prominent bright white central shaft contrasting against the muted vane.

Open country, scattered trees, farmyards, suburban areas, and urban parks with access to open ground for feeding.

Widespread across North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States and Mexico, down to Central America and the Caribbean.

Acts as an important seed disperser and a primary prey species for various raptors and mammalian carnivores.

Eurasian Collared-Dove and White-winged Dove, which can be distinguished by larger size and different tail and wing markings.

Mourning doves are one of the most widely distributed and hunted game birds in North America, capable of drinking water by sucking it up rather than tilting their head back like most birds.

Good condition, fresh, with intact barbs and no major fraying or parasitic damage.