Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a super common bird you might see in your backyard or at the park! It's a type of dove, and its scientific name is Zenaida macroura. These birds are mostly gray and brown, so they blend in nicely with trees and the ground.

They have a soft, sad-sounding coo that sounds like they are saying 'coo-OOO-ooo'. They are found all over North America, from big cities to quiet countrysides.

Mourning Doves are not just pretty; they are also speedy flyers! They can zoom through the air at speeds up to 55 miles per hour. That's faster than a car on a neighborhood street! When they take off or land, their wings make a cool whistling sound. It's like a secret signal that only other birds might understand. They are strong fliers and can travel long distances.

What do Mourning Doves love to eat? Mostly seeds! They peck at seeds on the ground and are very good at finding them. When they have babies, called squabs, both mom and dad feed them a special 'crop milk' that comes from their own bodies. A pair of Mourning Doves can have up to six families of two babies each in one year, especially when it's warm. That's a lot of little squabs!

Mourning Doves are one of the most common birds in North America. This means you have a great chance of spotting one! They are also known by other names like the 'rain dove' because some people think they sing before it rains. They are important because they help spread seeds by eating them and then flying to new places. They are a beautiful part of nature all around us.