**Mourning Doves** (*Zenaida macroura*) are one of the most widespread and common bird species in North America, easily recognizable by their soft, gray-brown plumage, slender build, and the characteristic mournful, soft cooing sound of their calls. They are highly valued for their peaceful demeanor and as a common garden visitor. The primary conflict is minor and occurs when they nest in inconvenient or aesthetically unsuitable locations on homes and structures, or when large flocks consume garden seeds and bird feeder seed excessively.
Taxonomy and Classification
Mourning Doves belong to the class Aves, order Columbiformes. They are closely related to the domestic pigeon. They are granivores (seed-eaters) and are monogamous, forming strong pair bonds. They are known for their rapid reproduction, often raising multiple broods per year in quick succession.
Physical Description
Mourning Doves are medium-sized, slender birds, about 9 to 13 inches long.
- **Appearance (Key ID):** Slender, soft gray-brown body; black spots on the wing covers; a long, pointed tail with white outer feathers (visible in flight); and a black spot near the ear.
- **Nesting:** Nests are notoriously flimsy, simple platforms of twigs placed in trees, shrubs, or on window sills, ledges, or gutters of homes.
- **Conflict:** Minor nuisance from nesting sites, droppings, and seed consumption.
Distribution and Habitat
Mourning Doves are widespread across the lower 48 U.S. states, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Their habitat is highly adaptable, including open woods, farmlands, urban parks, and suburban gardens, preferring areas with scattered trees and access to ground-level food.
Behavior and Conflict
The conflict is low-level and centered on sanitation and aesthetics.
- **Nesting Nuisance:** They sometimes choose high-traffic or inconvenient nesting locations (e.g., hanging baskets, window ledges), which leads to messy droppings and the potential for a nest to fail.
- **Seed Consumption:** They primarily feed on the ground, often consuming spilled birdseed or newly planted garden seeds (corn, beans) at a high rate.
- **Protection Status:** In many areas, they are classified as a migratory game bird and are legally protected except during specific hunting seasons, meaning trapping, poisoning, or destruction of active nests is **illegal**.
Management and Prevention
Control is non-lethal and focuses on exclusion and deterrence.
- **Netting:** Use bird netting to protect freshly planted vegetable or flower seeds until the seedlings are established.
- **Physical Barriers:** Install bird spikes or tension wires on narrow ledges or gutters to prevent nesting (must be done *before* they build the nest).
- Use visual deterrents (e.g., shiny objects, owl decoys), though doves often become habituated to these quickly.
- If a nest is active (contains eggs or young), it must be **left undisturbed** until the young have fledged due to legal protections. Once the nest is abandoned, the remnants should be removed.
Conservation and Research
Mourning Doves are extensively studied due to their status as a game bird, with research focusing on population dynamics, migration patterns, and the impact of agricultural practices on their feeding habits.