Mourning dove

Description:

A member of the dove family, also known as the American mourning dove or rain dove. Erroneously known as the turtle dove and once referred to as the Carolina pigeon.

Habitat:

Can live in a wide variety of open and semi-open habitats, urban areas, farms, prairies, grasslands and light wooded areas. It avoids swamps and thick forests. The species has adapted well to areas altered by humans.

Notes:

Studies have shown mourning doves mate for life, but their life span isn’t very long. Most only last a few years before becoming prey to cats, hawks or humans. Then the surviving mate must find a new mate.