Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 10.5 inches
* Sexes similar
* Medium-sized, somewhat slender dove with very thin neck
* Black bill

Adult:

* Pale buff-brown head, neck, breast, and belly
* Purple and green iridescence on neck
* Small black mark on lower neck
* Medium brown back and upperwings, with large black spots on coverts
* Long tail is pointed at tip
* Dark brown tail with white tips to outer four tail feathers

Juvenile:

* Dark brown mottled head neck and breast
* Scaly neck and upperwings with numerous black spots on coverts and scapulars
* Pale belly
* Medium length tail is pointed at tip

Similar species:

Long pointed tail is distinctive for adults, while black spotting on coverts and pale color help distinguish it from White-winged and White-tipped Doves. Juvenile is easily confused with Common Ground-Dove and Inca Dove, but is longer necked, shows a pointed tail with more white at edges and lacks cinnamon in primaries.