Mourning doves are a familiar sight and sound across North America, commonly found in backyards, parks, and natural settings. These widespread birds are recognized for their gentle demeanor and distinctive vocalizations. Their acoustic repertoire makes them one of the most identifiable avian species.
The Iconic Cooing Call
The most recognizable sound produced by a mourning dove is its characteristic cooing call, often described as a soft, drawn-out, and somewhat mournful series of notes. This vocalization is typically rendered as “coo-OO-oo-coo-coo” or “coo-ah, coo-coo-coo.” This distinctive sound is almost exclusively made by male mourning doves, who use it for several important purposes.
A primary function of the cooing call is to attract a mate. Males often perch in high locations to broadcast this call, with the frequency and intensity of the cooing directly related to the breeding season. Beyond courtship, cooing also plays a role in territorial displays, allowing males to defend their space from rivals.
Wing Whistles and Other Calls
Beyond their well-known cooing, mourning doves produce a unique whistling sound with their wings, particularly noticeable during takeoff and landing. This mechanical noise is created by specialized primary feathers. As the bird flaps its wings rapidly, air rushes through these feathers, causing them to vibrate and produce a high-pitched whistle.
This “wing whistle” serves as a natural alarm system, signaling potential danger to other doves and nearby birds. In addition to cooing, male mourning doves use a “nest call” to invite their mate to a potential nest site, often a three-parted sound like “coo-OO-oo” with the middle note being the highest. Females may also produce softer sounds when interacting with their young in the nest.
Identifying Mourning Dove Sounds
Mourning dove sounds can be distinguished from other birds by their specific characteristics. The cooing call, while sometimes mistaken for an owl’s hoot due to its low, resonant quality, has a distinct rhythm and pattern. Owls typically produce more rhythmic hoots, whereas the dove’s coo often ends with several shorter, descending notes.
To reliably identify a mourning dove, it is helpful to listen for both their vocalizations and the unique wing whistle. The whistling sound produced during their rapid takeoffs and landings is a strong identifier that sets them apart from many other species. Observing the context of the sound also aids identification; the male’s cooing is frequently heard from elevated perches during warmer months, signifying breeding activity.