Listen for its coah, coo, coo, coo in summer. Not one of the brighter bulbs in the avian kingdom, mourning doves rely on prolific breeding to survive high predation. Nonetheless, this is a pretty bird, and its song, though mournful, is also familiar and pleasing.
Doves are widespread groundfeeders.
Open woods and fields, grasslands, and towns are frequented. The chief field mark distinguishing the Mourning Dove from the Rock Dove is the Mourning Dove's tail, which tapers elegantly to a point, whereas the Rock Dove's is squared.