The Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, is one of the most widespread and abundant bird species across North America. Easily recognized by its slender appearance and the distinct, soft cooing sound, the dove is a familiar presence in backyards, fields, and urban areas. Answering how long they live requires distinguishing between the typical survival rate of the population and the maximum biological potential of an individual bird.
Average Lifespan Versus Maximum Longevity
The average lifespan of a Mourning Dove in the wild is surprisingly short, often hovering around one to one and a half years. This low figure reflects the extremely high rate of annual mortality, as a large number of birds do not survive their first year of life.
The true biological potential, or maximum longevity, of the species is far greater. Data collected through cooperative bird banding programs provides the most accurate evidence of how long an individual can potentially survive. The longest-lived Mourning Dove ever recorded, confirmed by banding records, was over 31 years and four months old.
This remarkable age demonstrates that the Mourning Dove is biologically capable of a long life, yet the typical bird succumbs to environmental pressures early. The disparity between the short average survival and the decades-long maximum longevity highlights the intense challenges faced by doves in the wild. Most individuals simply do not live long enough to reach their full potential lifespan.
Primary Mortality Factors in the Wild
The short average lifespan is directly attributable to numerous threats. Predation is a persistent danger, with common predators including raptors (falcons and hawks) and terrestrial hunters like snakes and domestic cats. Because doves primarily forage on the ground, they are particularly vulnerable to sudden attacks in open areas.
Disease also represents a significant mortality factor, with trichomoniasis being the most important infectious agent. This disease, caused by the single-celled protozoan Trichomonas gallinae, manifests as lesions or masses in the mouth and esophagus, often leading to death by starvation or suffocation. The parasite is easily transmitted between birds through contaminated food and water, such as at bird feeders, or directly from parent to nestling.
Human-related hazards account for substantial losses. Mourning Doves can suffer from lead toxicosis by ingesting spent lead shot while feeding on the ground in heavily hunted areas. Studies estimate that between 2.5% and 3% of the population may ingest lead pellets, which are then ground in the gizzard and absorbed into the bloodstream, causing fatal poisoning. Furthermore, collisions with windows and vehicles contribute to the accidental death toll, as birds may not perceive clear or reflective glass surfaces.
Reproduction and Juvenile Vulnerability
The high annual mortality rate necessitates a compensatory reproductive strategy. Doves are prolific breeders, possessing the longest breeding season of any North American bird, often raising multiple broods per year in warmer climates. A single pair can attempt to raise up to six clutches in a season, with each nesting cycle lasting approximately four weeks.
The standard clutch size is just two white eggs, which the parents incubate for about two weeks. Both adults share the responsibility of feeding the hatchlings, known as squabs, with a nutrient-rich substance called “crop milk.” This rapid breeding rate is a biological response to the reality that a large number of young birds will not survive to adulthood.
Mortality is heavily concentrated among these young, inexperienced birds; annual death rates for immature doves can reach as high as 70%. Fledglings, which leave the nest quickly after only 11 to 15 days, are especially vulnerable immediately following departure. This high turnover of young individuals, who are statistically more likely to perish before their first year is complete, is the primary demographic factor that pulls the overall average lifespan down to such a low figure.