Mourning Dove Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesMourning Dove
Adult
Gray above with large black spots on the wing coverts and pale peach-colored below, with a long, thin tail. Note the thin, black bill and pinkish legs.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 08, 2014Adult
In flight shows a long, fan-shaped tail with large white tips. Its wings make a distinctive high-pitched whistle in flight.
© Nancy Christensen / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 11, 2017Adult
Characteristic "mourning" call is made by puffing up the throat but without opening the bill.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 20, 2008Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles look similar to adults, but with small white tips to most of the upperparts feathers, and white markings in the face.
© Joseph Boros / Macaulay LibraryTexas, August 11, 2016Adult
Shows a black mark on the side of the neck that can be hidden, depending on the angle.
© Tyler Ficker / Macaulay LibraryOhio, March 05, 2017Adult
Note small, round head, straight, thin bill, and long, pointed tail with white edge. Often found in backyards and neighborhoods.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2006Not all videos have sound
Adult
Constructs small, flimsy nests in a variety of trees and bushes.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 15, 2015Adult
Often occurs in flocks, sometimes quite large, and perches prominently in a variety of habitats.
© Lewis Ulrey / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, November 05, 2015Adult
Nest is a flimsy pile of twigs or needles arranged on a flat surface such as a tree branch, gutter, railing—or cactus.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 17, 1997Not all videos have sound
Adults
Typically feeds on the ground, in the open, and usually in small groups. Often comes to platform feeders and to seed scattered on the ground.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 23, 1997Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesEurasian Collared-Dove
Adult/immature
Eurasian-collared Dove has a square-tipped tail and a black crescent on the back of the neck rather than the Mourning Dove's tapered tail and black cheek smudge. They also lack the Mourning Dove's dark wing spots.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 12, 2015Similar SpeciesWhite-winged Dove
Adult
White-winged Doves have short, square-tipped tails rather than Mourning Dove's long, tapered tail. The White-winged's wing patch is visible even at rest.
© Ted Bradford / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 12, 2016Similar SpeciesRock Pigeon
Adult
Rock Pigeons are larger than Mourning Doves and have shorter tails with overall gray rather than brown plumage.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014Similar SpeciesBand-tailed Pigeon
Adult
Band-tailed Pigeons are larger than Mourning Doves with square-tipped tails and overall dark grayish, rather than pale brown, plumage.
© Rick Taylor / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 01, 2017Similar SpeciesWhite-tipped Dove
Adult (White tipped)
White-tipped Doves are darker gray above than Mourning Doves and have square-tipped tails.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryGuárico, November 26, 2010Similar SpeciesCommon Ground Dove
Adult/immature
Common Ground-Doves are smaller than adult Mourning Doves and have short, square-tipped tails. Compared with juvenile Mourning Doves, they have less scaling and a bright red or pink base to the bill.
© Alex Lamoreaux / Macaulay LibraryOlancho, January 19, 2017Similar SpeciesInca Dove
Adult/immature
Inca Doves are smaller than adult Mourning Doves and are extensively scaled, with chestnut wing patches that are visible in flight. The square-tipped tail helps set it apart from juvenile Mourning Doves.
© Jeffrey Moore / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 12, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Pigeons and Doves(Order: Columbiformes, Family: Columbidae)
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