Missouri Department of Conservation

Mourning Doves

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Mourning Doves

Mourning doves delight with their haunting coo and mottled gray plumage. They also serve as game for hunters and table fare for adventurous cooks. Learn about this bird's migration, habitat, distribution and status.

Dove History

Mourning doves predate man in America, with fossils tracing back 1.8 million years. These birds adapted to humans and even prospered from their influence. However, some contemporary human practices harm dove habitat and health.   More

Dove Migration and Habitat

The story begins in Missouri each March when mourning doves migrate to natal areas from the previous year. Their nesting habitat varies from open grasslands to trees and shrubs in residential areas. More

Dove Distribution

The mourning dove is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America. Doves are found in every county in Missouri, with the greatest densities in the west-central portion. More
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