Red-Eyed Dove vs Mourning Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Streptopelia semitorquata

How to recognise a red-eyed dove?

General appearance

The red-eyed dove is a large, long-tailed bird known for its distinct red eyes, contrasted by a grey head and lavender-grey body. It exhibits a particular wing pattern, with its back and wings being slate-grey, crossed by broad black bands. Its underparts are slightly pink, with its tail having a white tip.

Male vs female

The males and females of the red-eyed dove species exhibit monomorphism, meaning they share similar plumage and are difficult to distinguish visually. The unique identifying factor lies in their vocalization patterns where the male has a distinct five-part coo sound sequence, differing from the female's call.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-eyed doves possess a uniform brown colouration compared to adults, lacking the distinctive black wing bands. Their overall colour is duller with their eyes being more of a brownish-grey shade. As they mature, they gradually acquire the adult's characteristic markings and vibrant red eyes.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/5.7 - 10.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The red-eyed dove typically inhabits light woodland, savannas, and gardens in sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, it also thrives in urban areas and can be found in the Middle East, extending to the Arabian Peninsula.

Range Map

What do red-eyed doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-eyed dove primarily feeds on seeds, grains, and fallen fruits. It often forages on the ground, searching for these food sources in its natural habitat. Additionally, it may consume small insects and invertebrates, providing essential protein, especially during the breeding season.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the red-eyed dove is often attracted to a variety of seeds, such as sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. These components offer a similar nutritional profile to its natural diet, encouraging the dove to visit areas where bird feeders are present.

What does a red-eyed dove sound like?

The red-eyed dove’s vocalizations involve a distinct and repetitive cooing sound. The song is a sorrowful "co-OO-oo", repeated in sequences. It is commonly mistaken for a human sounding 'no hope'. The rhythmic sequence and tone often earn them a place in local folklore. Furthermore, its coos are broken down into a series of notes, giving its song a unique touch. The duration of their songs varies but is frequently prolonged, especially during dawn and dusk. Their vocalizations play a significant role in courtship and territory marking.

Call

Audio by JMK

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

Song

Audio by Bram Piot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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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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Red-Eyed Dove

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Mourning Dove

Red-Eyed Dove

Streptopelia semitorquata

General appearance

The red-eyed dove is a large, long-tailed bird known for its distinct red eyes, contrasted by a grey head and lavender-grey body. It exhibits a particular wing pattern, with its back and wings being slate-grey, crossed by broad black bands. Its underparts are slightly pink, with its tail having a white tip.

Male vs female

The males and females of the red-eyed dove species exhibit monomorphism, meaning they share similar plumage and are difficult to distinguish visually. The unique identifying factor lies in their vocalization patterns where the male has a distinct five-part coo sound sequence, differing from the female's call.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-eyed doves possess a uniform brown colouration compared to adults, lacking the distinctive black wing bands. Their overall colour is duller with their eyes being more of a brownish-grey shade. As they mature, they gradually acquire the adult's characteristic markings and vibrant red eyes.

Size

11.8 - 13.4 in/5.7 - 10.9 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 Red-Eyed Dove from the Mourning Dove

Visual differences

The Red-Eyed Dove is larger, weighing 5.7-10.9 oz and measuring 12-13.4 inches, compared to the Mourning Dove's 3-6 oz and 9-13.4 inches. The Red-Eyed Dove has distinct red eyes, a grey head, and a lavender-grey body with black wing bands. In contrast, the Mourning Dove features a mix of black, brown, grey, and tan plumage with black spots on the wings and white-edged tail. It also has a more pointed, wedge-shaped tail. Both juvenile Red-Eyed and Mourning Doves are duller but can be distinguished by their eye color and plumage texture.

Key differences and behavior

The Red-Eyed Dove, native to sub-Saharan Africa, prefers light woodlands and urban areas, often seen feeding alone or in pairs, mainly on seeds, grains, and fruits. Its mating involves vocalizations and a display flight, with both parents sharing incubation duties. In contrast, the Mourning Dove, found in North America, inhabits open regions like farms and grasslands, and can store large amounts of seeds in its crop. It engages in elaborate courtship displays, with males selecting sites while females build flimsy nests. Both parents participate in feeding with crop milk. Red-Eyed Doves are solitary and might consume some insects, whereas Mourning Doves are more social and primarily seed-eaters. These behavioral aspects help distinguish them despite visual similarities.