Feathered Friday ~ Mourning Dove ~ Zenaidura macroura

over 4 years ago

This is one of a pair of Mourning Doves that have been hanging around my place. I don't see them often but they are the most common species of dove found in North America. They are also the most common game bird, hunted for both meat and sport, not something I have ever seen.

What is the difference
between a pigeon and a dove?

They come from the same family and resemble each other. Some descriptions say there is no difference, others say that doves are smaller with pointed tails whereas pigeons have rounded ones.

Regardless, it's interesting how two members of the same family, resembling each other, can be looked upon so differently; pigeons as pests and mourning doves as harbingers of grace, love and peace. Historically, both have been kept as pets.

Mourning Doves primarily eat seeds and grain. Their diet may include insects and snails during the breeding season.

A pair of doves can produce 2-6 broods per year depending on the climate and food sources. Both parents incubate the 2 eggs -- the majority of nests, have two -- for 14 days. The young are fed seeds and regurgitated crop milk for 12-14 days until they fledge. Mourning doves mate for life.