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

This feather is characteristic of the Mourning Dove, a slender-tailed, small-headed bird known for its mournful 'coo-oo-oo' call. The bird itself is overall grayish-brown with black spots on the wings and a long, pointed tail that shows white outer edges in flight.

The base and distal tip are a soft battleship grey. A bold, black subterminal spot or 'blob' is prominent on one side of the vane. The underside is slightly paler than the upper surface.

Pennaceous throughout the main vane with tightly interlocked barbs for flight stability; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base for insulation.

Smooth, sleek, and somewhat matte. The surface has a fine, powdery feel common to Columbids (pigeons/doves) known as powder down.

Grey base color, distinctive large black subterminal spot on the inner vane, and a truncated tip.

Extremely versatile; found in open and semi-open habitats including agricultural fields, suburban backyards, grasslands, and light woods.

Resident to medium-distance migrant across North and Central America, from Southern Canada to Panama. Populations in the northern US migrate south.

Primarily a seed eater (granivore), playing a role in seed dispersal. They are a vital prey species for many raptors, particularly Cooper's Hawks and Falcons.

Eurasian Collared-Dove (lacks the distinct black spot on individual grey tail feathers) and White-winged Dove (has much larger white patches).

Mourning Doves can fly at speeds up to 55 mph. Their wings make a distinctive whistling sound during take-off and landing, which acts as an alarm signal to other birds.

Good. The vane is mostly intact, though there is some minor fraying at the base and edges suggesting it was a naturally molted feather (dropped during the post-breeding molt).