The Mourning Dove (\(Zenaida macroura\)) is definitively not an invasive species, a fact easily confirmed by examining its origins and long-standing presence in North America. This familiar bird, recognized by its soft cooing call, is one of the most abundant and widespread native species across the continent. Its commonality stems from its successful adaptation to environments shaped by human activity, allowing it to thrive from southern Canada through Mexico and the Greater Antilles. The species is a naturalized part of the ecology, with its widespread distribution being a naturally occurring phenomenon.
What Defines an Invasive Species
A species is classified as invasive only when it meets two specific biological criteria related to its origin and impact. First, the species must be non-native or alien to the ecosystem, meaning it was introduced by human activity rather than through natural processes. Second, its introduction must cause or be likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.
Many non-native organisms are introduced without ever becoming invasive; these are simply termed non-native or, if established, naturalized. An invasive species actively outcompetes native flora and fauna for resources. They often lack natural predators or diseases in their new range, allowing their populations to explode. The designation of “invasive” is reserved for the small subset of non-native species that aggressively disrupt the balance of the existing ecosystem.
The Mourning Dove’s Native Status and Widespread Range
The Mourning Dove is native to the Nearctic region, with its historical range covering the entire contiguous United States, southern Canada, and central Mexico. Its high population, estimated in the hundreds of millions, is a testament to its inherent adaptability. The species thrives in varied habitats created by human settlement, including urban parks, suburban yards, and agricultural fields.
The dove’s abundance is sustained by its highly prolific breeding strategy. It produces multiple broods throughout the long breeding season. In warmer southern regions, a single pair can successfully raise up to six broods of two nestlings each per year, compensating for high natural mortality rates.
Their diet is primarily granivorous, consisting almost entirely of seeds from cultivated grains, grasses, and weeds. This generalized food source is readily available across disturbed and managed landscapes. This combination of a flexible diet and rapid reproduction allows the Mourning Dove to flourish within its native range.
Distinguishing Mourning Doves from Invasive Species
Confusion about the Mourning Dove’s status often arises from its co-existence with the rapidly spreading, non-native Eurasian Collared Dove (\(Streptopelia decaocto\)). The Eurasian Collared Dove is an introduced species that has expanded across North America since the 1970s. Careful observation reveals several distinct differences between the two species that help prevent misidentification.
The native Mourning Dove is a smaller, more slender bird with a delicate build, while the Eurasian Collared Dove is noticeably larger and stouter.
Key Distinctions
- The Mourning Dove has a long, pointed tail edged with white when in flight.
- The Eurasian Collared Dove has a broad, squared-off tail.
- The Mourning Dove’s plumage is muted brownish-tan with small black spots on the wings.
- The Eurasian Collared Dove has chalky, pale gray-buff plumage and lacks wing spots.
- The most unambiguous feature of the Eurasian Collared Dove is the narrow, solid black half-collar on the back of its neck.
- The Mourning Dove lacks this collar, having only a small black spot near its cheek.
This larger, more aggressive species’ quick population growth and competition for food and nest sites highlight the difference in ecological impact compared to the established native dove.
Conservation and Regulatory Status
The Mourning Dove is afforded formal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), a federal law that safeguards migratory birds. Despite this protection, the Mourning Dove is also legally classified as a migratory game bird due to its historical use and high population numbers. This dual status means it is the most heavily hunted migratory game bird in North America, with tens of millions harvested annually.
Management of the species is handled through a cooperative effort between federal and state agencies. These agencies set specific hunting season lengths and daily bag limits. This system of controlled harvest and population monitoring ensures the continued health and abundance of the species. This active management stands in stark contrast to the regulatory approach for truly invasive species, which often involves targeted eradication or unrestricted take.