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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. XVIII
Field-journal plate: Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate XVIII

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Columbidae · Taxon 3454

Length23–34 cm (9.1–13.4 in)
Wingspan45 cm (17.7 in)
Weight86–170 g (3.0–6.0 oz)

Field marks

  1. Slender, small-headed dove with a long, pointed, wedge-shaped tail.
  2. Delicate buffy-tan to gray-brown body, often with a softly pinkish breast.
  3. Small black bill and dark, round eye.
  4. Black spots on the upperwing coverts.
  5. Outer tail feathers show white tips edged in black, especially visible in flight or from below.
  6. Pointed wings and a streamlined, graceful profile.

HabitatOpen and semi-open country: fields, grasslands, woodland edges, farms, gardens, and built-up areas with open ground for feeding and nearby trees, shrubs, or wires for perching.

BehaviorForages mainly for seeds on open ground; fast, direct flight with a distinctive wing whistle at takeoff; soft, drawn-out cooing from perches.

Palette

buffy tanwarm gray-brownsoft rose pinkblue-grayblack and white