Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
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Mourning Dove: Zenaida macroura
Species:
Description | Status | Behavior
This is the common wild dove, a close relative to the common pigeon or rock dove. It is a medium size bird, about 12 inches long with a tan coloration on the head to the wings.
The wings transition to a grayer tone towards the tips, Both males and females have the same coloration. Its voice, coah, cooo, cooo, coo, is sometimes mistaken for an owl.
The mourning dove can be found in abundance throughout the area. It's a year-round resident of Jo Daviess County, although it can winter as far south as Panama.
The mourning dove can inhabit a number of environments, including open woodland, agricultural areas with scattered trees, and suburbs. Up to 99% of its diet consists of seeds, including waste grain from cultivated fields. It is often observed in pairs or in small flocks. It often nests in forks of horizontal tree limbs.
There are usually 2-3 broods per season, but occasionally the number can reach 3-6. The eggs are white and are about an inch long. Typically there are two eggs laid. The male will incubate the eggs during the day, and the female will incubate them the remainder of the day.
— This text and image originally appeared in Territory Times.
