Watercolor portrait of Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura
Year-round resident throughout most of t… Extremely adaptable Song

Learn to identify the Mourning Dove by ear. Master the "coo-OO-oo-oo" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“cooOOOoo woo-woo-woo”

What the Mourning Dove sounds like

Slender, medium-sized dove with a soft gray-beige coloration. It has a small head, a long pointed tail, and black spots on the wings. When it flies, the white edges of its tail feathers and a quick flapping wing beat followed by gliding are noticeable. Named for its haunting, mournful cooing song.

“coo-OO-oo-oo”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A soft, mournful cooing that starts strong and fades: often rendered as "coo-ah, coo, coo, coo." The first note is the loudest (cooAH) followed by several softer coos. Males sing from a perch (or sometimes on the ground or a fence) to attract a mate and defend a breeding territory. It's most often heard in the early morning or late afternoon. Often written as “cooOOOoo woo-woo-woo”.
Don't confuse with:The Eurasian Collared-Dove — larger and paler, with a distinct black half-collar at the nape of the neck.

Lessons featuring the Mourning Dove

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Mourning Dove's sounds in this interactive in-app lesson.

Meet the Neighbors lesson habitat
Meet the Neighbors
Tier 1 · Right Out the Door
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Where you'll hear it

Extremely adaptable; found in open and semi-open environments across North America. Common in farmland, grasslands with scattered trees, suburban yards, parks, and desert scrub. Often seen perched on telephone wires or foraging on the ground for seeds. Avoids dense forests; prefers edges and clearings.

In spring, pairs form and begin nesting early (Mourning Doves can nest as early as March or even late winter in warm areas). Males perform display flights with loud wing claps and cooing to attract mates. Throughout summer, they may raise multiple broods (2 eggs per nest is typical, and they can nest up to 5-6 times in a season in warm climates). By fall, juveniles and adults flock together at food sources, though some continue late nesting into autumn. During winter, their activity centers around roosting in sheltered spots and feeding during the day; they remain relatively quiet except for occasional flock flutter or soft calls, saving energy for the next breeding cycle.

Similar species

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Larger and paler, with a distinct black half-collar at the nape of the neck.

White-winged Dove

Stouter with a bright white flash along the wing (visible at rest and in flight).

Mourning Dove song FAQ

What does a Mourning Dove sound like?
A soft, mournful cooing that starts strong and fades: often rendered as "coo-ah, coo, coo, coo." The first note is the loudest (cooAH) followed by several softer coos. Males sing from a perch (or sometimes on the ground or a fence) to attract a mate and defend a breeding territory. It's most often heard in the early morning or late afternoon. Listen for the "coo-OO-oo-oo" phrase.
How do I tell a Mourning Dove from a Eurasian Collared-Dove by sound?
Eurasian Collared-Dove: Larger and paler, with a distinct black half-collar at the nape of the neck.; Collared-Doves have a deeper, three-syllable cooing ('coo-COO-cook') and lack the Mourning Dove's wing whistle.; An introduced species often found in suburban areas alongside Mourning Doves..
When is the best time to hear a Mourning Dove?
In spring, pairs form and begin nesting early (Mourning Doves can nest as early as March or even late winter in warm areas). Males perform display flights with loud wing claps and cooing to attract mates. Throughout summer, they may raise multiple broods (2 eggs per nest is typical, and they can nest up to 5-6 times in a season in warm climates). By fall, juveniles and adults flock together at food sources, though some continue late nesting into autumn. During winter, their activity centers around roosting in sheltered spots and feeding during the day; they remain relatively quiet except for occasional flock flutter or soft calls, saving energy for the next breeding cycle.