120: Mourning Doves: Why Do They Make That Sad Cooing Sound?

What is that sad, haunting "coo" coming from your backyard?There's a good chance it's a Mourning Dove.In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're exploring one of the most familiar—and frequently heard—birds in North America: the Mourning Dove.Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Mourning Dove calls, behavior, nesting, diet, migration, flight, and the adaptations that have helped these birds become so widespread.Why are they called Mourning Doves? Why do Mourning Doves make that sad cooing sound? Do Mourning Doves mate for life? Why do their wings whistle when they fly? What do they eat? And why do Mourning Dove nests sometimes look so surprisingly flimsy?We also explore the difference between the Mourning Dove's famous call and another sound people frequently hear—the distinctive whistle produced by its wings during flight.Mourning Doves are so common that they're easy to overlook, but their biology and behavior are far more interesting than you might expect.If you've heard a mysterious coo outside your window, watched a pair of doves at your backyard feeder, or wondered why these birds seem to be everywhere, this episode will give you a new appreciation for one of North America's most recognizable backyard birds.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:YouTube InstagramTikTokBlueSky