Mourning Dove (Zenaida macoura)
A dark spot on the side of the neck distinguishes this bird from other
native doves and pigeons except for the white-wing of the southwest.
Also known as turtle dove, the "mourner" frequently nests in
suburban and city shrubbery throughout the United States, Mexico,
and southern Canada; it winters from the central United States to
Panama--and is part of folklore in all those countries.
Mourning doves eat the seeds of plants, including grain, plus berries
and the small wild fruits of any region through which they pass.
Despite that melancholy but peaceful "coo," they are restless
migratory creatures. Doves live in the large cities, small towns,
villages, and countryside; songs are sung and poems written about
them; they are esteemed game birds