Mourning Dove (Carolina Dove, American Mourning Dove)

The Mourning Dove is a slender, medium-sized dove with a long, graduated tail, a small head, and a graceful, swift flight. Its plumage is predominantly muted grayish-brown with black spots on the wings and pinkish-fawn underparts. The species is well-known for its mournful cooing call and is one of the most abundant and widespread birds in North America.

Soft greyish-brown or brownish-grey overall with a smooth, uniform tone, showing a pale whitish-grey edge on the outer vane and a sturdy white-to-light-grey rachis

Pennaceous vane distally with a plumulaceous base showing loose, fluffy barbs without tight interlocking barbicels

Smooth, soft texture with a matte finish, flexible vane, and a slightly downy base

Subtle grayish-brown coloration, smooth rounded shape, pale edge, and slender white rachis characteristic of medium-sized columbids

Open and semi-open country, agricultural fields, prairies, suburban areas, parks, and scrubby deserts

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

Acts as an important seed predator and disperser, as well as a primary prey species for various raptors and carnivorous mammals

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), which tends to be larger, paler grey-buff, and possesses a distinct black neck patch

Mourning doves are capable of drinking water without lifting their heads, acting like a pump to swallow continuously. They are also known for producing a whistling sound with their wings during takeoff and landing

Good condition, clean vane with intact barbs and no major signs of fading, fraying, or parasitic damage