How to Identify a Dove

The dove is one of the most abundant birds in the United States. A symbol of purity and peace, doves belong to the same family as pigeons. Doves vary by color, size, wingspan and locale. Learn to identify doves based on the physical characteristics.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Perform an online search for doves to learn where each species lives and migrates. This information will help you identify doves by location.

2. Research the Mourning Dove, the most abundant dove. The Mourning Dove is greyish-brown in color, has a pointed tail and makes a "cooah, coo, coo, coo" song. The male birds have a blue coloring on the head and a pink tint on the chest. Mourning Doves nest near water sources, usually in evergreen trees, and lay two eggs at a time.

3. Study the most domesticated dove, the Ringed Turtle Dove. Rare to find in the wild, the Ringed Turtle Dove has a white coloring with a black ring or collar around the neck.

4. Investigate the White-Winged Dove, which is typically found in the southwest region of the United States. These large, slender birds have a strip of white coloring on each wing and blue coloring around the eyes.

5. Find local or national birding enthusiasts. Ask experienced birders how to locate and identify specific doves.

Tips & Warnings

• Know the difference between a pigeon and a dove. In the same family but a different species, pigeons are generally darker in color and larger than doves.

Resources

• This Cornell University website gives information on specific doves.
• Dove Page offers a message board and photo gallery.