The small black spot on the face distinguished it from the now extinct Passenger Pigeon . Male Mourning Doves establish a territory in early spring. The male performs an aerial flight display from a high perch by circling out and back while holding his wings out straight and a bit lower than his body. Banding studies suggest that these doves mate for life. The sex of a Mourning Dove can be determined with lots of experience.
Males have a bluish crown and nape, and a rose wash to the throat and breast.
The crown and nape of the female is grayish brown, and the throat and breast has a brownish or tan wash. Mourning Dove Foot Mourning Doves have strong legs and feet. Powerful leg muscles enable them to launch rapidly. Generally, tough tendons and a limited supply of blood and nerves in the legs and feet of birds make them somewhat resistant to freezing. Mourning Doves, however, can lose several toes from freezing, making it harder for them to scratch on the ground while feeding.