Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Pigeons & Cuckoos
Common
Year-Round
Mourning Dove - Twentynine Palms, CA
© Tom Benson
Mourning Dove - Palm Desert, CA
© Tom Benson
The Mourning Dove is a common, year-round breeding resident on campus. Likewise it is a common breeding resident throughout southern California. They can be seen anywhere on campus.
High Count: 50, Average Count: 5-10
The Mourning Dove can be identified by its brown upperparts, creamy brown head and underparts, and long, pointed tail. Males have iridescent pink feathers on the side of the neck (these can be difficult to see). The Mourning Dove is so named because of its mournful, descending, cooing vocalizations.