Birds of Michigan Field Guide by Tekiela Stan;

Author:Tekiela, Stan;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 5944638
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Published: 2019-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

YEAR-ROUND

Size: 12" (30 cm)

Male: Smooth, fawn-colored dove. Gray patch on the head. Iridescent pink and greenish-blue on neck. Single black spot behind and below eyes. Black spots on wings and tail. Pointed, wedged tail with white edges, seen in flight.

Female: similar to male, but lacks the pink-and-green iridescent neck feathers

Juvenile: spotted and streaked plumage

Nest: platform; female and male build; 2 broods per year

Eggs: 2; white without markings

Incubation: 13–14 days; male incubates during the day, female incubates at night

Fledging: 12–14 days; female and male feed the young

Migration: partial to non-migrator; moves around to find food or migrates to southern states

Food: seeds; will visit ground and seed feeders

Compare: Lacks the wide range of color combinations of the Rock Pigeon. Lacks the black collar of the Eurasian Collared-Dove.

Stan’s Notes: Name comes from its mournful cooing. A ground feeder, bobbing its head as it walks. One of the few birds to drink without lifting its head, same as the Rock Pigeon. Parents feed the young (squab) a regurgitated liquid called crop-milk during their first few days of life. Platform nest is so flimsy, it often falls apart in a storm. During takeoff and in flight, wind rushes through its wing feathers, creating a characteristic whistling sound.

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