Mourning Dove

A classic tail feather from a Mourning Dove, characterized by its striking white tip. The bird itself is a slender, medium-sized dove with a long, pointed tail, soft gray-brown plumage, and a distinctive mournful 'coo-oo' call.

Bicolored pattern featuring a distinct large white tip, a sharp dark charcoal to black subterminal band, and a grayish-slate base; the ventral side is lighter

Pennaceous for the majority of the vane, providing structural integrity; plumulaceous (fluffy) base near the calamus for insulation

Smooth and slightly satiny on the upper surface; the vane is somewhat flexible but maintains a firm shape for flight stability

Tri-colored appearance with a white distal end, a blackish middle band, and a gray proximal portion; slender profile characteristic of the outer tail

Found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats including farm fields, grasslands, suburbs, and lightly wooded areas

Abundant across North America, from Southern Canada through the United States to Central America; northern populations are migratory

Primary seed eaters (granivores), playing a role in seed dispersal; they are also a major prey species for hawks and falcons

White-winged Dove (larger white patches on wings, different tail pattern) and Eurasian Collared-Dove (squared tail with less distinct banding)

Mourning Doves can fly at speeds up to 55 mph. Their wings make a distinctive whistling sound during takeoff and landing due to specialized feather vibration.

Good condition, showing minor separation of the barbs near the base (haggardness) consistent with a naturally molted feather; no obvious parasite damage