The Mourning Dove

Today, I am drawing a Mourning Dove  and wanted to share some characteristics/fun facts. 🕊️

1. Mourning doves have a slender, streamlined body with a small head, long tail, and light gray-brown coloring. They have black spots on their wings and a distinctive black mark below and behind their eyes. 

2. They are medium sized birds with a wingspan of 17-17 inches. 

3. Mourning doves are able to live in many different habitats throughout Minnesota. 

4. They primarily eat seeds and can consume up to 20% of their body weight in seeds each day. 

5. Where to look: All over Minnesota, except the northern coniferous forests and deep, thick deciduous forests. Your neighborhood!!

6. They can produce up to six broods a year, each with two eggs. 

7. Mourning Doves are strong fliers and can reach speeds up to 55 mph. 

8. It is one of the most widespread and abundant bird species in North America. 

9. Their population is estimated to be around 350 million in North America, making them a common sight across the continent. 

10. Try this. Blow softly across the neck of an open bottle. It sounds similar to a dove.