Mourning Dove (Carolina Dove, American Mourning Dove)

The Mourning Dove is a slender, medium-sized dove with a long, graduated tail, pinkish-brown to gray upperparts, and black spots on the wings. Known for its distinct, melancholic cooing vocalization, it is one of the most abundant and widely distributed birds in North America.

Soft greyish-brown base with a distinct dark grey to black subterminal band and a pale, frosted grayish-white tip.

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning into a plumulaceous (fluffy, downy) base without a prominent afterfeather.

Soft and silky texture with a smooth pennaceous tip and a fluffy plumulaceous base; matte appearance.

Distinctive square-ended or truncated tip with a contrasting dark subterminal band and pale grey-white fringe.

Open country, urban areas, farms, prairie, grasslands, and lightly wooded areas avoiding dense forests.

Widespread across North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States, Mexico, and into Central America, as well as the Greater Antilles.

Important granivore serving as a major food source for various raptors and mammalian predators.

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Columba decaocto), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), but distinguished by smaller size and specific grayish-brown tone with a squared tip.

Mourning doves produce 'crop milk', a nutritious secretion from the lining of the parent's crop used to feed their altricial nestlings.

Good condition, clean, intact barbs with minor natural wear at the base.