The Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura) is a member of the dove family, Columbidae. It has been known by different names such as the rain dove, and turtle dove, it has been also called a Carolina turtledove. It is one of the most widespread and abundant birds in North America.
They are fawn colored with a grey patch on the head, with iridescent pink green around the neck. There is a single black spot behind and below the eyes. Black spots are on the wings and tail, they have a pointed wedge shape tail with white edges. Both males and females are similar, the males are the ones with the iridescence around the neck.
The bird is a strong flier capable of speeds up to 88km/h or 55mph. The species is generally monogamous and produce 2 squabs per brood, thy have up to 6 broods per year. Both of the parents care for the young. Mourning doves are seed eaters but the young are fed crop milk by the parents.
The eastern mourning dove is Wisconsin's official symbol of peace, and Michigan's state bird of peace. The mourning dove is frequently used in Native American literature, and is the pen name of Christine Quintasker, one of the very first Native American women who was published. Mourning dove imagery turns up in American and Canadian poetry in the works of Robert Bly, Jared Carter, Lorine Niedecker, and Charles Wright.
For me the Mourning dove is sweet as they walk about my yard they bob their heads when they walk. They are calm and peaceful to watch as they go about there business, I always think I can just walk up to them and pick one up, but alas they are very shy and will fly away.
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Photo's are all taken by myself with a Cannon EOS Rebel T2i; Cannon EF 75-300mm f/4-f/5.6
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