Birding By Ear Lesson #3: Cooing Columbidae – Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Band-tailed Pigeon

In this third Birding By Ear lesson, we’ll address three members of the Columbidae family (doves and pigeons) – the Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, and Band-tailed Pigeon.
 
All three make similar but distinctive “advertising coos.” Each of these three sounds are most often performed by a male looking to attract a mate or defend a breeding territory, and thus, are generally recognized as songs. These three “songs” might be heard year-round, but performances peak in breeding season.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove’s song is the longest of the three. Though it can vary, the song typically consists of five notes in a distinct pattern. All notes are on the same pitch, except for the second syllable which is accented and pitched higher. The tone of the entire coo is breathy and, indeed, a bit “mournful.”
 
The mnemonic we developed is singing its name as such: “mour–NIIING—dove—dove—dove.” Try singing along in your head as you listen below.

During take-off and landing, the flapping of a MoDo’s wings often creates a whistling sound. Since Eurasian Collared-Doves sometimes make similar wing-whistles, this alone shouldn’t be used to identify the species, but it’s fun to notice nevertheless!

Mourning Doves can be found almost anywhere, but when selecting nest sites, they’re particularly drawn to open woodlands and forest edges.
 

Eurasian Collared-Dove

The most persistent and repetitive advertising coo of the bunch belongs to the Eurasian Collared-Dove. This song ordinarily consists of three notes on about the same pitch, but with emphasis on the longer and louder second syllable. At times, the last note is pitched a bit lower. This three-note song is often rapidly repeated a dozen times in one bout of cooing. Females sometimes sing a softer version.
 
The mnemonic we sing to ourselves is: “col-LARRRED-dove, col-LARRRED-dove, col-LARRRED-dove,” in a monotone voice.

When particularly excited or when alighting to a perch, Eurasian Collared-Doves make a conspicuous call. Listen below to this loud, nasally whine.

Eurasian Collared-Doves generally prefer open habitat near suburban, urban, and agricultural areas.
 

Band-tailed Pigeon

The Band-tailed Pigeon’s advertising song is the shortest of the group – just two notes. The first note is quick and emphasized, while the second note is extended and lower-pitched.
 
A useful mnemonic is a simple: “HOO-hooooo, HOO-hooooo.”

Band-tailed Pigeons can make loud wing-claps on takeoff – listen below. Faint, whooshing wing-sounds can also be heard in the recording.

These “forest pigeons” prefer mixed evergreen or conifer forests, but can also be found in suburban areas with ample oaks or evergreens.
 

Putting It All Together

Next time you hear a cooing Columbidae, focus on these features to identify it, sight unseen!