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"The Mourning Dove is the most abundant "game bird" in North America. Despite being hunted throughout most of North America, it remains one of the 10 most abundant birds within the United States."
"The Mourning Dove, also known as the Carolina Turtledove, is built for speed! And can reach up to 60 miles per hour during flight!"
Scientific Name -
Zenaida macroura
RANGE - North & Central America
LIFESPAN - ?
DIET - Variety of seeds, fruits & insects.
WEIGHT - 3 to 6 ounces
LENGTH - 9 to 13 inches
WINGSPAN - 15 to 20 inches
STATUS - Approx. 130 million
PROTECTION - Hunted during season.
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The American Mourning Dove ranges from southern Canada to Central America. Many individuals in northern areas migrate south for winter, but most of them in Tennessee are year round residents. They prefer open to semi-open area and can be found in urban, prairie, grassland, and farm environments. This bird is abundant across Tennessee and the United States, with an estimated population of 130 million. In many of these areas, the Mourning Dove is hunted as a game bird. The Mourning Dove, also known as the Carolina Turtledove, is built for speed, and can reach up to 60 miles per hour during flight! Mourning Doves are light gray and brown, with a small bill, black legs and redish feet. Males and females are very similar in their appearances. They are generally monogamous and can have up to six broods a year, with two young per brood. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14 days, with the male sitting on the eggs from morning until noon and the female setting afternoon and through the night. The chicks will fledge in about 15 days and take flight. The Mourning Dove feeds on seeds and primarily forages on the ground. Farm fields are a great place to feed after the crops have been cultivated.
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