If the Mourning Dove were a rare bird, bird-watchers would exclaim endlessly over its elegant beauty. As it happens, MODOs are hardly rare, so they’re taken somewhat for granted. Take a closer look, notice the oil-slick sheen on the neck, the gentle dark spots, the pink legs and the “sweet” face.
Sprinkle some bird seed on the ground (don’t put seed where you don’t want it to sprout) and you will have Mourning Doves in no time!
The Eurasian Collared-Dove, with origins in India, is a rarer sight in backyards, but less so in parks and important to distinguish from its more common cousin. The body is plainer, lacking the dark spots — but the “collar” around the back of the neck is distinctive.