{"id":13731,"date":"2020-03-30T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=13731"},"modified":"2020-03-30T09:16:56","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T13:16:56","slug":"take-5-mourning-doves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-mourning-doves\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Mourning Doves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many a novice birder have heard a soft, mournful cooing in their back yard and made a mad dash to their window expecting to see an owl, only to find instead a portly, long-tailed Mourning Dove<\/a> dressed in shades of soft brown and grey, pecking about for seeds that have fallen from feeders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the ground, Mourning Doves often look plump and dainty, walking with mincing steps and bobbing their heads as they look for food. In flight, however, they are entirely different birds.  Remarkably swift and agile, they fly straight and fast on whistling wings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common sight year-round, Mourning Doves are generally unbothered by humans. When they’re not breeding or nesting, they frequently form large flocks and are often found perching on telephone wires and lamp posts in groups of a dozen or more. They are able to mate throughout the year but typically do so from spring to fall. Breeding pairs are often seen gently preening each other’s necks as a sweet bonding behavior. And while they typically make their nests in bushes and trees, they’ve been known to take advantage of any horizontal surface, such as the back of a wicker patio couch or the upturned head of a push broom left outside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five fantastic photos of Mourning Doves from our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors<\/a> photo contest\u2014let us know in the comments if you’ve seen any in your neighborhood, particularly any wacky nesting sites!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mourning
Mourning Dove \u00a9 William Dow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mourning
Mourning Dove \u00a9 Jim Lynn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mourning
Mourning Dove \u00a9 Eric Schultz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mourning
Mourning Dove \u00a9 Matthew Eckerson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mourning
Mourning Dove \u00a9 Cheryl Arsenault<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many a novice birder have heard a soft, mournful cooing in their back yard and made a mad dash to their window expecting to see an owl, only to find instead a portly, long-tailed Mourning Dove dressed in shades of soft brown and grey, pecking about for seeds that have fallen from feeders. On the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":13738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[28,338,83,84],"class_list":["post-13731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-birds","tag-mourning-dove","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/5723Cheryl_Arsenault28244.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3zt","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15328,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-first-sounds-of-spring\/","url_meta":{"origin":13731,"position":0},"title":"The First Sounds of Spring","author":"William Freedberg","date":"March 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Red-winged Blackbird \u00a9 Rachel Bellenoit Some resident birds start singing their spring songs in late February and early March like clockwork, no matter what the weather is doing. Even when winter keeps its grip on Massachusetts with snow and freezing temperatures, these birds mark the lengthening days with songs to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"red-winged blackbird","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4136Rachel_Bellenoit17775.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4136Rachel_Bellenoit17775.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4136Rachel_Bellenoit17775.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4136Rachel_Bellenoit17775.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16534,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/why-you-should-appreciate-pigeons-yes-pigeons\/","url_meta":{"origin":13731,"position":1},"title":"Why You Should Appreciate Pigeons. Yes, Pigeons.","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"We all love birdwatching, but\u2014pigeons? Who cares about pigeons? Rosemary Mosco, the creator of the nature comic Bird and Moon (and Mass Audubon alum), has a new book out that explains why these ubiquitous city birds deserve a second look. It\u2019s called A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching: Getting to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/11\/9781523511341.in03-thumb-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/11\/9781523511341.in03-thumb-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/11\/9781523511341.in03-thumb-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/11\/9781523511341.in03-thumb-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8489,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/bird-seed-basics\/","url_meta":{"origin":13731,"position":2},"title":"Bird Seed Basics","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Want to see birds without ever having to leave home? Look no further than outside your own window. All you need to attract birds is the right type of bird feeder and food. And don't be concerned about creating a hardship for birds should you decide to take a hiatus\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/12\/161SusumuKishihara3650.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/12\/161SusumuKishihara3650.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/12\/161SusumuKishihara3650.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1867,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-myth-busting-mourning-cloak\/","url_meta":{"origin":13731,"position":3},"title":"The Myth-Busting Mourning Cloak","author":"Kristin S.","date":"April 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Every year I wait eagerly to see my first butterfly of spring. Most likely, it will be a mourning cloak\u00a0(Nymphalis antiopa),\u00a0a large butterfly with velvety brown wings and yellowish white wing edges. This beautiful \u201charbinger of spring\u201d emerges on the first warm days, often before all the snow has melted.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mourning cloak copyright Frank Model","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/03\/mourningcloakfrankmodel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6745,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-november-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":13731,"position":4},"title":"Last Month in Birding: November 2015","author":"Rosemary","date":"December 16, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Every month we feature some the past month's bird sightings as suggested by our experts.\u00a0Here are five remarkable\u00a0observations\u00a0from November. MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) If you're a fan of warblers, you probably know the mourning warbler, an uncommon bird of the eastern US that looks like it's wearing a gray and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/pelican.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/pelican.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/pelican.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15583,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/10-common-bird-sounds\/","url_meta":{"origin":13731,"position":5},"title":"10 Common Bird Sounds","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"April 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Do you wonder what you\u2019re hearing outside? Is it the Northern Cardinal you see flitting about? Or maybe it\u2019s something more cryptic? We\u2019ve pulled together 10 sounds and songs of birds that you may commonly hear when you are out and about in your yard or neighborhood, particularly in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Eastern Phoebe copyright Anthony Lischio","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4128Anthony_Lischio29592-750x500-22af1663-9241-47c8-b73b-c6480df017f0.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4128Anthony_Lischio29592-750x500-22af1663-9241-47c8-b73b-c6480df017f0.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4128Anthony_Lischio29592-750x500-22af1663-9241-47c8-b73b-c6480df017f0.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/04\/4128Anthony_Lischio29592-750x500-22af1663-9241-47c8-b73b-c6480df017f0.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13731"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13770,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13731\/revisions\/13770"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}