The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) also known as the American mourning dove, the rain dove, and colloquially as the turtle dove, and was once known as the Carolina pigeon and Carolina turtledove. The mourning dove looks like a slender, streamlined pigeon, which is not surprising since it belongs to the same family of birds as the domestic feral (or rock dove). Mourning doves are about a foot long, ranging in size from 11 to 13 inches, with males being slightly larger. Key identification features are the small head, pointed wings and the long tail that gradually tapers toa point. These tail feathers show large white spots when the birds fly away. Look for the black spots on their upper wings, close to the body. Doves also have a large dark spot below the eye. Their bill is thin and black while their legs and feet are a dull red. The upper body feathers range in color from grayish blue to grayish brown. They have grayish-brown backs and fuff-colored undersides. On bright days, doves in flight appear gray or gray-brown, but in poor light they look black.
Doves are extremely swift fliers averaging about 30-40 miles per hour, but when they are alarmed, they can reach 60 miles per hour. They have a steady, rapid wingbeat in flight. You may notice that doves can make rapid changes of pace and altitude. Listen for the noticeable whistling sound produced by the beating of their wings.
If you are going to hunt doves, you must properly identify your target or not shoot. Federal law protects all non-hunted migratory birds and prohibits their killing due to misidentification. Two other birds found in mourning dove habitat you should be on the lookout for are the kestrel (sometimes called sparrow hawk), and the killdeer. Male and female kestrels have different plumages, but both have gray heads with reddish crowns on top. Kestrels have two black marks on their white cheeks that look a bit like a handle-bar mustache with long sideburns. Males have blue-gray wings and a rusty back and tail. Females lack the bluish wings. If they are in a strong headwind, kestrels may remain fairly stationary with their wings held steady, much like a kite on a string.
Killdeer are small, lon-legged shorebirds found in open fields and pastures often far from water. Look for their distinctive dark breasts bands. Adults have two breast bands while juveniles have only one band. Killdeer also have a rusty orang patch on the upper tail and lower back. Killdeer are seldom seen in large flocks.
As a responsible hunter you must familiarize yourself with mourning doves and other similar species before you begin hunting. By scouting and being extra careful you will avoid misidentification of these similar birds.
Doves are extremely swift fliers averaging about 30-40 miles per hour, but when they are alarmed, they can reach 60 miles per hour. They have a steady, rapid wingbeat in flight. You may notice that doves can make rapid changes of pace and altitude. Listen for the noticeable whistling sound produced by the beating of their wings.
If you are going to hunt doves, you must properly identify your target or not shoot. Federal law protects all non-hunted migratory birds and prohibits their killing due to misidentification. Two other birds found in mourning dove habitat you should be on the lookout for are the kestrel (sometimes called sparrow hawk), and the killdeer. Male and female kestrels have different plumages, but both have gray heads with reddish crowns on top. Kestrels have two black marks on their white cheeks that look a bit like a handle-bar mustache with long sideburns. Males have blue-gray wings and a rusty back and tail. Females lack the bluish wings. If they are in a strong headwind, kestrels may remain fairly stationary with their wings held steady, much like a kite on a string.
Killdeer are small, lon-legged shorebirds found in open fields and pastures often far from water. Look for their distinctive dark breasts bands. Adults have two breast bands while juveniles have only one band. Killdeer also have a rusty orang patch on the upper tail and lower back. Killdeer are seldom seen in large flocks.
As a responsible hunter you must familiarize yourself with mourning doves and other similar species before you begin hunting. By scouting and being extra careful you will avoid misidentification of these similar birds.