Mourning Dove (Rain Dove, Turtle Dove)

The Mourning Dove is a slender, medium-sized bird with a long, tapered tail and a distinctive mournful 'coo-oo' call. This feather represents its hallmark tail pattern, which is flashed during take-off and landing. The bird itself is mostly buffy-tan with black spots on the wings.

Slate gray to brownish-gray base with a conspicuous broad white tip. A dark subterminal band (blackish or charcoal) separates the gray base from the white tip.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base for insulation.

Smooth, silky, and somewhat matte; the feather lacks the oily waterproof coating found in waterfowl but is quite flexible and aerodynamic.

The 'three-toned' appearance: a gray base, a black subterminal smudge/band, and a stark white terminal tip. The narrow, tapered shape is also diagnostic.

Open and semi-open habitats including agricultural fields, suburban backyards, grasslands, and light woods. Common across North Carolina.

Year-round resident throughout the continental United States and Mexico; northern populations may migrate to the Southern US in winter.

Primary seed eater and important prey base for hawks and owls. They play a role in seed dispersal but are mainly known as a prolific 'generalist' species.

White-winged Dove (has larger white patches on wings, tail pattern differs), Eurasian Collared-Dove (tail is squarer with less stark white tipping).

Doves produce a 'wing whistle' during take-off caused by air rushing through specialized feathers, which serves as an alarm to other birds. They can also fly at speeds up to 55 mph.

Good to Fair. There is some minor separation of the barbs near the lower mid-section (possibly from wear or handling), but the color and structure remain clear.

Southeast NC