Nature Walk: Mourning Doves

Posted on February 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM by Kerri Sorrell

Mourning doves are considered our most wide spread and abundant game bird and are hunted as they migrate south each autumn. Many birds overwinter in northern states and in mid-to late winter they tend to congregate in increasingly larger numbers at song bird feeding stations. They also forage on waste grain, weed and grass seeds in fields. Note the sky-blue eye ring.

Mourning Doves are considered Iowa’s most widespread and abundant game bird and are hunted as they migrate south each fall. Many birds, Mourning Doves included, overwinter in northern states and in mid-to late winter tend to congregate in increasingly larger numbers at song bird feeding stations. They also forage on waste grain, weed and grass seeds in fields. Note the sky-blue eye ring, a distinctive physical marker.

Where have you seen Mourning Doves gathering in the winter?

If you are interested in purchasing a print of this photo or requesting information on possible use of any of our “Nature Walk” photographs, please contact Carl Kurtz at cpkurtz@netins.net. View our other Nature Walk posts!

Kerri