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Mourning Dove Facts: Sounds, Symbolism & Identification

A mourning dove rests on a warm rock.

Image Credit:
Photo by US Fish and Wildlife via Wikimedia Commons
Written By: Heidi Stonehill Executive Editor

The mourning dove, with its soft coo and graceful flight, is a familiar sight and sound across North America. This gentle bird, found in backyards, parks, and open fields, holds a special place in the hearts of many. Whether you’re an aspiring birdwatcher or simply curious about these ubiquitous feathered neighbors, dive into the fascinating world of the mourning dove!

What is a mourning dove?

The mourning dove is a slender gray bird known for its soft cooing call, long tail, and graceful flight. It is one of the most common birds in North America.

How to Identify a Mourning Dove

Mourning doves boast an impressive population exceeding 350 million across the continent, making them the most abundant game bird and a common backyard visitor.

Look for their slender grey bodies, long tails, and the black spots adorning their wings. Their gentle cooing call is also a helpful identifier.

A close up of a mourning dove
Photo: Cami Johnson

What Does a Mourning Dove Sound Like?

The mourning dove’s signature call, a mournful yet strangely comforting coo, is a familiar sound in backyards and natural areas. This vocalization plays a crucial role in attracting mates and defending territories.

How Fast Can Mourning Doves Fly?

Don’t underestimate these seemingly unassuming birds! Reaching speeds of up to 55 mph, mourning doves are swift fliers, capable of impressive bursts of speed during courtship displays and evading predators.

Mourning Dove in Flight
Photo: Jean Blom

Where Do Mourning Doves Live?

These resourceful birds thrive in diverse habitats, from deserts to woodlands to urban parks. Their diet of seeds and grains allows them to flourish in a variety of environments.

Mourning Dove Symbolism and Meaning

Mourning doves have earned a place in folklore and traditions across North America. Native American tribes revered them as symbols of peace and hope, while their cooing often found its way into poetry and music.

How to Attract Mourning Doves to Your Yard

You can attract Mourning Doves to your garden by providing access to water sources and planting native seed-bearing plants like sunflowers and millet. Open platforms or ground feeders filled with seeds like safflower and corn will offer a tasty invitation.

Conservation and Habitat Concerns

While abundant overall, localized populations can face threats from habitat loss and pesticide use. Understanding these challenges and supporting conservation efforts helps ensure the future of this beloved bird.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a mourning dove sound like?

Mourning doves make a soft, mournful cooing sound often heard in backyards and open fields.

Are mourning doves good to have around?

Yes! Mourning doves are peaceful backyard birds that help disperse seeds and add soothing natural sounds to gardens.

What do mourning doves eat?

They primarily eat seeds and grains, including sunflower seeds, millet, safflower, and cracked corn.

How do you attract mourning doves?

Provide ground feeders, fresh water, and native seed-bearing plants like sunflowers and millet.

What does seeing a mourning dove symbolize?

Many cultures view mourning doves as symbols of peace, hope, love, and remembrance.

Where do mourning doves nest?

Mourning doves often build simple nests in trees, shrubs, hanging baskets, or even building ledges.

Click here to listen to the sounds of other birds!

Have you heard a mourning dove? Add your comments below. Be sure to let us know where you live or where you’ve heard this bird sound before!

Bird Sounds

About The Author

Heidi Stonehill

Heidi Stonehill

Executive Editor

Heidi Stonehill is the executive editor for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, where she focuses much of her time on managing content development for the Almanac’s line of calendars.

Read more from Heidi Stonehill

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Comments

<span>Claire</span> Sat, 06/18/2022 - 09:49
I live in Smyrna, GA. I have mourning doves in my yard every day. I have lost a dear friend recently and I find their presence comforting. I put out bird seed for the birds and squirrels, so I have lots of visitors to my yard! The mourning doves are always in pairs and they will stand and look at me as I look at them from the window.
<span>Jamie</span> Wed, 05/05/2021 - 20:30
Like another commenter I live in the Pacific Northwest, however I see them pretty regularly. Well, I hear them but when I do I look for them. They nested in the fencing and rock area of the store I worked at and when I was there really early in the morning they were all you would hear.. I find their song so relaxing.
<span>Jamie</span> Wed, 05/05/2021 - 20:30
Like another commenter I live in the Pacific Northwest, however I see them pretty regularly. Well, I hear them but when I do I look for them. They nested in the fencing and rock area of the store I worked at and when I was there really early in the morning they were all you would hear.. I find their song so relaxing.
<span>Stephanie Kallos</span> Tue, 05/04/2021 - 07:05
I live in upper Manhattan, in Washington Heights, near the Hudson. I’d been hearing mourning doves for the first time here - and this morning, around 6:45, one of them flew onto a windowsill next to where I was sitting and gave me an intimate view and concert!
<span>Linda</span> Wed, 06/24/2020 - 16:28
We normally don't see mourning doves in the Pacific Northwest but on the rear occasions that we do, they're always in a pair. If I'm correct, I understand they mate for life. My grandmother used to say that when you see a mourning dove, a loved one has passed on. Sure enough, I received word the next day that a very dear friend died. Silly I know, but hmmmmm.....
<span>Anna Marie Reeder</span> Tue, 05/12/2020 - 11:58
the morning doves love my back yard and seem to be here year round. Hang out close to the house and on my deck.
<span>Steve Stokes</span> Mon, 04/27/2020 - 19:10
We have two that spend a lot of time in our yard. In the morning they are foraging, and we hear their calls in the evenings.
<span>Kathy</span> Sun, 04/19/2020 - 08:00
We have some visit us to eat with our chickens!
<span>Rick Kersey</span> Thu, 03/26/2020 - 18:32
I am in Toledo, Ohio. It's 3/26/20 was just listening to a mourning dove which is actually nested in front of my house!
<span>Teresa Knight</span> Mon, 05/27/2019 - 12:32
I'm in Simpson County Mississippi & I've been seeing & hearing Doves since the 3rd week of February. So far this year I've seen 4 pairs in my front yard!