Since we starting birding, we've had four different species of Doves in our yard. Last December, White-Winged Doves visited several times one week, then moved on. We get an occasional visit from a pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves. However, we get a visit every day from Mourning Doves and Common Ground-Doves.
Mourning Doves are one of the most familiar and common species across the country. Who hasn't heard their low pitched "whoOO" and the "whistling" sound of their wings when they take-off and land? The sexes are similar with subtle differences. The male has a more "pinkish" breast. The sides of their necks are iridescent in certain lighting. Mourning Doves are the most widespread and abundant game birds in North America. Each year millions are hunted for sport and meat, a major reason why their average life span is less than three years. Mourning Doves are prolific breeders. In warmer areas, they may raise up to six broods in a season. Joan (and many others) refers to them as "love doves".
The Common-Ground Dove is about half the size of a Mourning Dove. As beginning birders we thought that they were baby Mourning Doves. Imagine our embarrassment when we looked through our field guide and learned their true identity. They are abundant in Mexico, the Caribbean and South America, but in the U.S. they can only be found in the deep south. The sexes are similar with a "scaled" appearance on their neck and breast, and a black-tipped yellow bill. The male has a more rosy colored breast, the female is more evenly colored. Enjoy these photos of the Mourning Dove and the Common Ground-Dove.....tweet.....tweet!!
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| Mourning Dove (Taken 5/15/12, Placida FL) |
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| Common Ground-Doves (Taken 12/13/11, Our Backyard) |
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| " Love Doves " (Taken 7/23/12, Englewood FL) |
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