Oriental Turtle Dove vs Mourning Dove

Oriental Turtle Dove

Streptopelia orientalis

Also known as: Rufous Turtle Dove

How to recognise an Oriental turtle dove?

General appearance

The Oriental turtle dove is a large bird measuring 13-14 inches (33-35 cm), similar in size to a crow or robin. It exhibits a bold scaly pattern characterized by rich rufous, buff, or whitish edges on the dark feathers of the back, scapulars, and wings. It has a primarily smooth buffy gray head and underparts. A unique feature includes a patch of black and white lines on the side of its neck. The wings are broad and pointed, while the tail is rounded and square-tipped.

Male vs female

There is not much sexual dimorphism in the Oriental Turtle Dove, and the appearance of males and females is largely similar. Both genders display the same coloration and physical traits, making them difficult to distinguish purely based on appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile Oriental turtle doves closely resemble the adults but may have a slightly duller color palette. Over time, as they mature, their colors may become more vibrant and they gain the distinctive scaly pattern on their upper body. They also develop the characteristic black and white neck patches.

Size

13.0 - 13.8 in/5.8 - 9.6 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Oriental turtle dove primarily inhabits regions in Asia, including China, Japan, and the Himalayas. It prefers temperate forested areas, open woodland, and agricultural regions.

Additional range

Interestingly, the Oriental turtle dove can also be found in city parks and gardens, showing this bird’s adaptability to diverse environments.

Range Map

What do Oriental turtle doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The Oriental turtle dove primarily feeds on plant-based items such as seeds, grains, and fruits. It forages on the ground, searching for seeds from various grasses and weeds. Additionally, it consumes small fruits and berries, particularly favoring those from shrubs and low trees. In agricultural areas, this dove may be found eating surplus grains like rice and wheat spilled during harvesting.

Bird feeders

Oriental turtle doves visiting bird feeders are often attracted to seeds and grains, such as millet and cracked corn. They also consume sunflower seeds, which are a common offering in feeders. Bird enthusiasts may spot these doves picking up spillage beneath feeders, as they prefer to eat off the ground. Providing a mix of seeds and ensuring there is space for ground feeding can encourage their visits to bird feeders.

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Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Also known as: American Mourning Dove, Rain Dove, Turtle Dove, Carolina Pigeon, Carolina Turtledove

How to recognise a mourning dove?

General appearance

The mourning dove is roughly the size of a crow, bearing characteristics of a long, pointed tail which is about 12', or 30 cm long. This tail displays white spots along its edge while in flight. The bird’s wings are adorned with black spots and its overall coloration exhibits hues of black, brown, gray, pink, tan, and white. The dove has a pointed, wedge-shaped tail.

Male vs female

The sexes of mourning doves can be distinguished by their coloration. Adult males generally have a pinkish tinge on their chests and a blue-gray tone on their crowns. However, the female doves are more dull and plain, predominantly appearing in a shade of brown.

Juvenile

Young mourning doves have a unique scaly appearance that can lead them to be confused with the Inca Dove or the Common Ground Dove. They do not possess the vivid coloring of the adults and generally appear more muted in color.

Size

9.1 - 13.4 in/3.0 - 6.0 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The mourning dove primarily inhabits open and semi-open locations in temperate parts of North America. This includes farms, towns, open woods, roadsides, and grasslands.

Additional range

It is prevalent in places with both trees and open ground, known as edge habitats, and occasionally in treeless areas. Unexpectedly, it also frequents suburban areas, farmland, prairies, and deserts, while avoiding unbroken forests.

Range Map

What do mourning doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The mourning dove predominantly consumes seeds, which constitute 99% of its diet. It shows a preference for seeds from cultivated grains, grasses, ragweeds, and various other plants. Occasionally, its natural diet includes snails and very rarely any insects.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, mourning doves enjoy seeds commonly provided, such as millet and cracked corn. Their preference aligns with the availability of cultivated grain and grass seeds often found in birdseed mixes.

What does a mourning dove sound like?

The mourning dove's vocalizations are characterized by its low, mournful coo-ah followed by three coos. This unique call pattern is projected in a falling, flat, yet undulating manner. Despite its melancholic tone, the dove's hoot type call is nonetheless captivating and distinct, reinforcing its colloquial name.

Call

Audio by Francis C, Ortega C, Cruz A

/ CC BY-SA 2.5

Song

Audio by Gabriel Leite

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

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Oriental Turtle Dove

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Mourning Dove

Oriental Turtle Dove

Streptopelia orientalis

Also known as: Rufous Turtle Dove

General appearance

The Oriental turtle dove is a large bird measuring 13-14 inches (33-35 cm), similar in size to a crow or robin. It exhibits a bold scaly pattern characterized by rich rufous, buff, or whitish edges on the dark feathers of the back, scapulars, and wings. It has a primarily smooth buffy gray head and underparts. A unique feature includes a patch of black and white lines on the side of its neck. The wings are broad and pointed, while the tail is rounded and square-tipped.

Male vs female

There is not much sexual dimorphism in the Oriental Turtle Dove, and the appearance of males and females is largely similar. Both genders display the same coloration and physical traits, making them difficult to distinguish purely based on appearance.

Juvenile

Juvenile Oriental turtle doves closely resemble the adults but may have a slightly duller color palette. Over time, as they mature, their colors may become more vibrant and they gain the distinctive scaly pattern on their upper body. They also develop the characteristic black and white neck patches.

Size

13.0 - 13.8 in/5.8 - 9.6 oz

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Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

Also known as: American Mourning Dove, Rain Dove, Turtle Dove, Carolina Pigeon, Carolina Turtledove

General appearance

The mourning dove is roughly the size of a crow, bearing characteristics of a long, pointed tail which is about 12', or 30 cm long. This tail displays white spots along its edge while in flight. The bird’s wings are adorned with black spots and its overall coloration exhibits hues of black, brown, gray, pink, tan, and white. The dove has a pointed, wedge-shaped tail.

Male vs female

The sexes of mourning doves can be distinguished by their coloration. Adult males generally have a pinkish tinge on their chests and a blue-gray tone on their crowns. However, the female doves are more dull and plain, predominantly appearing in a shade of brown.

Juvenile

Young mourning doves have a unique scaly appearance that can lead them to be confused with the Inca Dove or the Common Ground Dove. They do not possess the vivid coloring of the adults and generally appear more muted in color.

Size

9.1 - 13.4 in/3.0 - 6.0 oz

There's more to learn about Mourning Dove

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How to tell the Oriental Turtle Dove from the Mourning Dove

Visual differences

Oriental Turtle Doves are larger, measuring 13-14 inches compared to the Mourning Dove's 12 inches. The Oriental Dove has a bold scaly pattern on its back and wings, a smooth buffy gray head and underparts, and distinctive black-and-white neck patches. Mourning Doves present a more uniform color palette with black spots on wings, pinkish hues on the male's chest, and a distinct long, pointed tail with white spots at the edges. Both species have broad, pointed wings, but the Oriental Dove has a rounded, square-tipped tail, whereas the Mourning Dove's tail is wedge-shaped.

Key differences and behavior

The Oriental Turtle Dove and Mourning Dove exhibit distinct behaviors and habitats. Oriental Turtle Doves, found across Asia, adapt to wooded and urban settings and display shared parenting with males incubating by day. They engage in mutual preening and a cooperative nest-building process. Their diet includes seeds, grains, and fruits, often foraging on the ground. Mourning Doves, native to North America, prefer open habitats, including suburban areas and farmlands. They can store abundant seeds in their crop, with a preference for cultivated grains. Their courtship involves elaborate aerial displays, and males select nesting sites, though females have the final say. Both species feed chicks "pigeon milk," but Oriental Turtle Doves focus on diverse dietary choices, while Mourning Doves mainly consume seeds. These behavioral traits aid in distinguishing them in the field.