Distribution and Present Status
The mourning dove is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds
in North America. It is found in all 48 contiguous states, Hawaii, southeastern
Alaska, southern Canada, the Greater Antilles and Mexico. Its breeding range
includes all these areas except Hawaii.
Doves are found in every county in Missouri, with the greatest densities in the west central portion. However, most Missouri doves do not overwinter in the state. They migrate one of two directions, depending upon where they live in Missouri. Doves from eastern Missouri generally move southeast into Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Western and central Missouri doves migrate to Texas, Louisiana, Mexico and Central America.
Because mourning doves cross state lines and international boundaries, they are classified as a Federal Migratory Species. Populations are managed on a national level by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 implemented as agreement among Canada, Mexico and the United States. It specifies that no U.S. state may begin a migratory bird hunting season before September 1.
Within the United States
are three zones, each containing independent dove populations. These zones encompass
the principal breeding, migration and U.S. wintering grounds for each population.
A separate management unit was established for each zone in 1960: Eastern Management
Unit (EMU), Central Management Unit (CMU) and the Western Management Unit (WMU).
These units are used by state and federal wildlife biologists in developing
dove regulations in much the same way the Waterfowl Flyway System is used for
duck and goose management. Missouri is one of 15 states in the CMU.
National mourning dove management units. States closed to dove hunting are shaded.
Life History
Description
The
mourning dove is a member of the group of birds called Columbiformes, along
with the common pigeon or rock dove. Two subspecies live in the United States;
one in the western two-thirds of the nation, the other in the eastern portion.
An intermediate race lives in the zone of overlap, which includes Missouri.
Missouri's dove population is comprised primarily of the intermediate race.
Doves can be distinguished sexually. Males have a light, rosy breast and blueish-gray crown, while females are tan or brownish in these areas. Neck feathers of males are iridescent, as in the earpatch.
Most dove hunters recognize very small birds as this year's hatch. but many mistake juveniles, or immatures, for adults. Immatures can be distinguished by the rounded edges on their primary coverts and one or more unmolted juvenile feathers. Adult primaries are pointed and have uniformly gray-brown coverts. The legs of adult doves are often more red than those of juveniles.
Annual Cycle
Content revision: 20030728
