Spotted Dove vs Mourning Dove

Spotted Dove

Spilopelia chinensis

Also known as: Mountain Dove, Pearl-Necked Dove, Lace-Necked Dove, Spotted Turtle-Dove

How to recognise a spotted dove?

General appearance

The Spotted Dove is an easily recognizable species. They range in size from 11-12 inches in length. The primary coloration of their plumage is a lovely light grey and pinkish below, with a distinctive black patch covered in white spots at the base of the throat.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism, which means observable differences in appearance between males and females, is not strongly present in spotted doves. Both males and females are similar in appearance. However, males may have slightly more vibrant colors and might be a bit larger than females.

Juvenile

Juvenile spotted doves display less vivid colorations than the adults, with a relatively plain, unspotted neck and pale undertail. They also lack the striking neck patch that is seen in adult spotted doves. Their coloration becomes progressively more similar to the adults as they mature.

Size

11.0 - 12.6 in/3.9 - 7.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Spotted Dove primarily inhabits light woodland and parklike areas in southern and southeastern Asia including India, Sri Lanka, and China.

Additional range

They have adapted to a range of environments including gardens, parks, and farmland. Introduced populations are found in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and urban Southern California, USA.

Range Map

What do spotted doves like to eat?

Natural diet

The spotted dove primarily feeds on a variety of seeds, including those from grass, grains, and weeds. They are also known to consume small insects and invertebrates as a supplement to their diet. These birds often forage on the ground and in open spaces, making use of their keen eyesight to locate food sources.

Bird feeders

Spotted doves are commonly attracted to bird feeders containing a mix of seeds. They particularly enjoy millet, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn, which are frequently offered in garden bird feeders. These foods provide a convenient alternative when natural food sources are scarce.

What does a spotted dove sound like?

The Spotted Dove's vocalizations are soft, cooing calls, often described as a low, gentle "coo-coo-coo." Its territorial song consists of cooing notes, punctuated by a distinct pause before the final note. Notably, the pitch and volume of their calls may vary slightly depending on the individual or situation. These doves frequently repeat their melodic song, particularly in the early morning and late evening. The sounds they produce are peaceful and soothing, and contribute to their overall reputation as calm, pleasant birds.

Call

Audio by Manoj Karingamadathil

/ 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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Spotted Dove

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Mourning Dove

Spotted Dove

Spilopelia chinensis

Also known as: Mountain Dove, Pearl-Necked Dove, Lace-Necked Dove, Spotted Turtle-Dove

General appearance

The Spotted Dove is an easily recognizable species. They range in size from 11-12 inches in length. The primary coloration of their plumage is a lovely light grey and pinkish below, with a distinctive black patch covered in white spots at the base of the throat.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism, which means observable differences in appearance between males and females, is not strongly present in spotted doves. Both males and females are similar in appearance. However, males may have slightly more vibrant colors and might be a bit larger than females.

Juvenile

Juvenile spotted doves display less vivid colorations than the adults, with a relatively plain, unspotted neck and pale undertail. They also lack the striking neck patch that is seen in adult spotted doves. Their coloration becomes progressively more similar to the adults as they mature.

Size

11.0 - 12.6 in/3.9 - 7.2 oz

There's more to learn about Spotted Dove

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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 Spotted Dove from the Mourning Dove

Visual differences

The Spotted Dove (11-12 inches) is slightly smaller than the Mourning Dove (about 12 inches). Spotted Doves have a distinctive black patch with white spots at the throat, whereas Mourning Doves feature a long, pointed tail with white edges and black wing spots. Spotted Doves exhibit a light grey and pinkish hue, while Mourning Doves display a varied color palette including black, brown, gray, pink, and tan. Spotted doves lack notable sexual dimorphism, whereas male Mourning Doves have a pinkish chest and blue-gray crown compared to the more brownish females.

Key differences and behavior

Spotted Doves and Mourning Doves exhibit distinct behaviors. Spotted Doves engage in complex mating dances with cooing and aerial tricks, while Mourning Doves perform elaborate courtship displays involving noisy wingbeats and circular glides. Spotted Doves thrive in light woodlands and parks, often in Asia or urban areas like Southern California, whereas Mourning Doves prefer open and semi-open habitats across North America. Both species construct simple twig nests, but Mourning Doves nest slightly higher. Both species eat seeds, but the Mourning Dove's diet is 99% seeds, occasionally snails, while Spotted Doves include small insects and invertebrates. Despite their ability to adapt, Spotted Doves are expanding their range, contrasting with the Mourning Dove's preference for familiar habitats.