Bird Guide

Mourning Dove vs White-winged Dove

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Medium119 gUrban

The mourning dove is a medium-sized, slender dove approximately 31 cm (12 in) in length. Mourning doves weigh 112–170 g (4.0–6.0 oz), usually closer to 128 g (4.5 oz). The mourning dove has a wingspan of 37–45 cm. The elliptical wings are broad, and the head is rounded. Its tail is long and tapered ("macroura" comes from the Greek words for "large" and "tail"). Mourning doves have perching feet, with three toes forward and one reversed. The legs are short and reddish colored. The beak is short and dark, usually a brown-black hue. Voice: This species' call is a distinctive, plaintive cooOOoo-wooo-woo-woooo, uttered by males to attract females, and it may be mistaken for the call of an owl at first. During the call, the throat of the dove swells. Close up, a grating or throat-rattling sound may be heard preceding the first coo.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Sandy Wolkenberg · CC BY 4.0
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

Medium153 gShrubland

White-winged doves are a plump, medium-sized bird (large for a dove), at 29 cm (11 in) from tip to tail, and a weight of 150 g (5.3 oz). Wingspan ranges from 18.9 to 22.8 in (48–58 cm). They are brownish-gray above and gray below, with a bold white wing patch that appears as a brilliant white crescent in flight, and is also visible at rest. Adults have a ring of blue, featherless skin around each eye and a long, dark mark on the lower face. They have a blue eye ring, and their legs and feet are brighter pink/red. Their eyes are bright crimson, except for juveniles, who have brown eyes. Voice: David Sibley describes the call as a hhhHEPEP pou poooo, likening it to the English phrase "who cooks for you". They also make a pep pair pooa paair pooa paair pooa call, with the last two words being repeated at length. Males sit on dedicated perches to give their call, which is referred to as a "coo". Calling is most frequent during the breeding season, and peaks in May and June.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: SearchNet Media · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove.