NAME: Mourning dove

FAMILY: Zenaida macroura, pigeon family

DESCRIPTION: Soft gray-brown with white-edged tail.

VOICE: Coo-ah, coo, coo, coo

HABITAT: Everywhere except wetlands and heavily forested areas.

RANGE: Most of America

FOOD: Mostly ground eaters, preferring millet, sunflower seeds, cracked corn. Eats some insects; drinks from watering spots in gardens.

NESTS: Near humans, nesting three times a year; often uses same nest for two chicks per brood. Twigs and sticks form nests in tree crotches. White eggs; incubation about 15 days with male sitting during day, female at night. "Pigeon milk" for young produced in adult's gullet. Young depart nest about 15 days after hatching

HELPFUL PLANTS: Sweet gum, hollies, elders, spruces, pine, pokeberry and serviceberry

Sources: Book of North American Birds, Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens, Ortho's How to Attract Birds