Zenaida macroura marginella

(Woodhouse, 1852)

Vernacular names
English : Mourning dove
French : Tourterelle triste

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Columbiformes
Family : Columbidae
Notes : 4 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults grow to 34 cm in length for a weight of 170 g. Short black bill, dark red legs, long dark brown tail. Plumage is mostly dark chocolate brown with a black cheek spot and iridescence on neck. Black spotting on wings.

Range and habitat
The species is found from South Canada to most of USA, south to Costa Rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. This subspecies occurs in west USA. Lives in savannas and semi-arid areas, plantations, agricultural areas, to 2500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still quite numerous and has a large range. It is heavily hunted in the USA with thousands killed every year but this is not a threat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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