Zenaida macroura
Open ground, wires, and feeders across most of the continent. Small walking track, three forward toes, hind toe small.
What does a mourning dove look like?
Slim tan dove, small head, long pointed tail.
What do mourning dove tracks look like?
A small ground-walking print. Doves walk rather than hop.
- Small walking track, three forward toes, hind toe small
- Often on bare dirt under a feeder
- Long pointed tail if seen
- Soft tan body with black spots on the wing
- Whitewash on a wire or rail
What does mourning dove poop look like?
Small white-and-dark droppings under a wire or feeder. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Open ground, wires, and feeders across most of the continent. Typical places: yard, field. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Rock pigeon identification
- American robin identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
A slim tan-gray dove with a small head and a long pointed tail.
How to tell a mourning dove from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Rock pigeon. A walking pigeon print on concrete or a ledge. City pigeon.
- American robin. A small perching-bird print. Gray-brown back, orange breast, yellow bill.
Mourning dove field marks
- Small walking track, three forward toes, hind toe small
- Often on bare dirt under a feeder
- Long pointed tail if seen
- Soft tan body with black spots on the wing
Where the sign shows up
Open ground, wires, and feeders across most of the continent. Typical places: yard, field. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
A small ground-walking print. Doves walk rather than hop. Small white-and-dark droppings under a wire or feeder.
Common questions
What does a mourning dove look like?
A slim tan-gray dove with a small head and a long pointed tail.