Mourning Dove Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesMourning Dove
Adult
Gray above with large black spots on the wing coverts and pale peach-colored below, with a long, thin tail. Note the thin, black bill and pinkish legs.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 08, 2014Adult
In flight shows a long, fan-shaped tail with large white tips. Its wings make a distinctive high-pitched whistle in flight.
© Nancy Christensen / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 11, 2017Adult
Characteristic "mourning" call is made by puffing up the throat but without opening the bill.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 20, 2008Juvenile
Juveniles look similar to adults, but with small white tips to most of the upperparts feathers, and white markings in the face.
© Joseph Boros / Macaulay LibraryTexas, August 11, 2016Adult
Shows a black mark on the side of the neck that can be hidden, depending on the angle.
© Tyler Ficker / Macaulay LibraryOhio, March 05, 2017Adult
Note small, round head, straight, thin bill, and long, pointed tail with white edge. Often found in backyards and neighborhoods.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 01, 2006Adult
Constructs small, flimsy nests in a variety of trees and bushes.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 15, 2015Adult
Often occurs in flocks, sometimes quite large, and perches prominently in a variety of habitats.
© Lewis Ulrey / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, November 05, 2015Adult
Nest is a flimsy pile of twigs or needles arranged on a flat surface such as a tree branch, gutter, railing—or cactus.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 17, 1997Adults
Typically feeds on the ground, in the open, and usually in small groups. Often comes to platform feeders and to seed scattered on the ground.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 23, 1997Similar SpeciesEurasian Collared-Dove
Adult/immature
Eurasian-collared Dove has a square-tipped tail and a black crescent on the back of the neck rather than the Mourning Dove's tapered tail and black cheek smudge. They also lack the Mourning Dove's dark wing spots.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 12, 2015Similar SpeciesWhite-winged Dove
Adult
White-winged Doves have short, square-tipped tails rather than Mourning Dove's long, tapered tail. The White-winged's wing patch is visible even at rest.
© Ted Bradford / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 12, 2016Similar SpeciesRock Pigeon
Adult
Rock Pigeons are larger than Mourning Doves and have shorter tails with overall gray rather than brown plumage.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, February 01, 2014Similar SpeciesBand-tailed Pigeon
Adult
Band-tailed Pigeons are larger than Mourning Doves with square-tipped tails and overall dark grayish, rather than pale brown, plumage.
© Rick Taylor / Macaulay LibraryWashington, May 01, 2017Similar SpeciesWhite-tipped Dove
Adult (White tipped)
White-tipped Doves are darker gray above than Mourning Doves and have square-tipped tails.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryGuárico, November 26, 2010Similar SpeciesCommon Ground Dove
Adult/immature
Common Ground-Doves are smaller than adult Mourning Doves and have short, square-tipped tails. Compared with juvenile Mourning Doves, they have less scaling and a bright red or pink base to the bill.
© Alex Lamoreaux / Macaulay LibraryOlancho, January 19, 2017Similar SpeciesInca Dove
Adult/immature
Inca Doves are smaller than adult Mourning Doves and are extensively scaled, with chestnut wing patches that are visible in flight. The square-tipped tail helps set it apart from juvenile Mourning Doves.
© Jeffrey Moore / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 12, 2014Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Pigeons and Doves(Order: Columbiformes, Family: Columbidae)
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