In Mississippi, there are five doves (and pigeons) that can be found, each with their own unique characteristics and habits. These stocky birds are known for their short necks, slender bills, and love for a seed-heavy diet. Doves are peaceful creatures and are often seen visiting backyard bird feeders. From the Mourning Dove, with its gray feathers and distinctive blue eye-ring, to the Common Ground Dove, slightly larger than a sparrow, these birds add beauty and charm to the Mississippi landscape. Whether you’re interested in identifying them by sight or sound, this article provides fun facts and range maps to help you learn more about these five doves in Mississippi.

Doves and Pigeons in Mississippi

Doves and pigeons are common and beloved birds in Mississippi. These stocky birds are known for their short necks, short slender bills, and a diet heavy on seeds. They are peaceful in nature and often visit backyards, making them a popular sight among bird enthusiasts. In this article, we will explore five different types of doves that can be found in Mississippi, their identifying characteristics, range maps, habitats, behaviors, feeding habits, breeding habits, and vocalizations. Let’s jump right in!

Mourning Dove

Identifying Characteristics

The Mourning Dove is a mostly grayish dove with large black spots on the wings and a long thin tail. It has pinkish legs, a black bill, and a distinctive blue eye-ring. Both males and females look the same.

Range Map

The Mourning Dove is the most common and familiar dove in Mississippi. It can be found throughout the state, and its range extends beyond Mississippi’s borders.

Habitat and Feeding Habits

Mourning Doves can be spotted perched high up in trees or on telephone wires near homes. They are also commonly seen on the ground, where they do most of their feeding. They are frequent visitors to bird feeding stations and can be attracted by offering their favorite foods, such as millet, shelled sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, cracked corn, and safflower seeds. They prefer flat places to feed, making trays or platforms the best feeders for them.

Breeding Habits

Mourning Doves are prolific breeders. Females can have 3 to 6 broods each breeding season. The young hatchlings stay in the nest for a maximum of 15 days but remain nearby to be fed by their parents for around another week. The parents continue to provide food even after the young doves leave the nest.

Vocalization

The Mourning Dove is known for its low cooing sound, which sounds like “coo-ah, coo, coo, coo.” This mournful sound, resembling an owl’s call, is how the dove acquired its name.

Rock Pigeon

Identifying Characteristics

Rock Pigeons are plump birds with small heads, short legs, and thin bills. They typically have a gray back, a blue-grey head, and two black wing bars. However, their plumage can vary, ranging from all-white to rusty-brown.

Range Map

Rock Pigeons are extremely common in Mississippi, particularly in urban areas. They are typically found in large flocks gathering in city parks, where they hope to find birdseed or leftover food.

Habitat and Behavior

Rock Pigeons have a close association with humans and are often considered urban pests. They can be attracted to bird feeders, especially those with leftover food lying on the ground. Some people find their presence overwhelming and look for ways to keep them away from their yards.

Association with Humans

Rock Pigeons have been associated with humans for thousands of years. Some evidence suggests that people started domesticating them over 5,000 years ago. Their original range is uncertain due to their long history with humans.

Vocalization

Rock Pigeons are known for their soft, throaty cooing sounds.

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Identifying Characteristics

The Eurasian Collared-Dove is mostly sandy brown with a long, square-tipped tail. It has a black collar on the back of its neck.

Range Map

Eurasian Collared-Doves are invasive in Mississippi. They were introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s and have since rapidly spread. They are comfortable around humans and are commonly found in urban and suburban areas.

Invasive Species

Eurasian Collared-Doves have thrived in their new environments, including bird feeding stations. They can be seen on the ground or platform feeders, where they eat grains and seeds.

Habitat and Diet

Eurasian Collared-Doves are often found near humans, and they have adapted well to urban and suburban areas. They can be seen in a variety of habitats, including parks, neighborhoods, and farms. Their diet consists of grains and seeds.

Vocalization

Eurasian Collared-Doves produce a distinctive “koo-KOO-kook” song, with the middle syllable being longer than the first and last. Males sing louder when defending their territories or searching for a mate.

White-winged Dove

Identifying Characteristics

The White-winged Dove is a pale grayish-brown dove with a white stripe on the edge of its wing. It has a short, square-tipped tail and a distinctive black mark on its cheek.

Range Map

White-winged Doves have adapted well to urban environments and are commonly found in cities and backyards throughout Mississippi.

Habitat and Feeding Habits

These doves readily visit bird feeding stations that offer sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, milo, and cracked corn. They have adapted well to the presence of humans and are often seen in cities.

Interesting Abilities

White-winged Doves have a few interesting abilities. First, when they are nestlings, the parents feed them a secretion known as “crop milk,” which is regurgitated from the lining of their esophagus. Additionally, they can drink water while their head is down, unlike most other birds who need to look up to swallow.

Vocalization

Male White-winged Doves sing a series of hooting coos to attract females. Their calls sound like they are saying, “who cooks for you,” with the final coo often being longer than the rest.

Common Ground Dove

Identifying Characteristics

Common Ground Doves are small birds, only slightly larger than a sparrow. They have plain grey-brown backs, pinkish-tinted underparts, and small heads with a scaled pattern on their breast and neck. They also have dark spots on their wings.

Range Map

Common Ground Doves are typically easy to find in Mississippi. They can be spotted feeding on the ground beneath bird feeders, taking advantage of the grains and seeds that fall from above.

Habitat and Behavior

These doves primarily nest on the ground and build simple nests lined with grass, weeds, and other plant matter. They are vulnerable to predators, so their primary defense is to blend into their surroundings or hide in thick vegetation.

Nesting Habits

Common Ground Doves lay their eggs directly on the ground. The female typically lays two white eggs, and both parents share incubation duties. After hatching, the parents continue to care for the young until they are independent.

Vocalization

Common Ground Doves are relatively vocal birds, and their soft, high-pitched cooing can be heard throughout the year.

Conclusion

Doves and pigeons are diverse and fascinating birds that can be found in abundance in Mississippi. From the familiar Mourning Dove to the invasive Eurasian Collared-Dove, each species has its own unique characteristics, range, and habits. Whether you enjoy observing them in your backyard or venturing into nature to spot them in their natural habitats, these birds are sure to bring joy and wonder to your birdwatching experiences in Mississippi.

Additional Resources

For more information on birds, including doves and pigeons, in Mississippi, the following resources may be helpful:

• The Birds of The World: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s comprehensive resource on bird species.
• Other Bird Guides about Mississippi: Explore other bird guides specifically focused on the diverse avian life found in Mississippi.