I never knew one could tell male and female Mourning Doves apart; I thought both looked all grey. But this spring I've been seeing a dove with a pinkish breast. I put out a birdbath, which attracts them. On the evening of May 18, two doves were on the birdbath.
They did not look the same as you can see from the photo below. I labeled the photos; to see caption, click on photo. The one on the left had a distinct pinkish hue on the breast. I asked Google whether male and female mourning doves can be distinguished. ANSWER: The male has a pinkish breast and bluish wash on it head. The female is more brown all over.
I would describe the female I saw as more grey all over. I still didn't feel too confident about it but then last night I saw two males, by my reckoning. I asked a more experienced birder's opinion and he agreed that I had sexed them correctly. So I'm sharing with others in case you're interested.
Sexing Mourning Doves
I never knew one could tell male and female Mourning Doves apart; I thought both looked all grey. But this spring I've been seeing a dove with a pinkish breast. I put out a birdbath, which attracts them. On the evening of May 18, two doves were on the birdbath.
They did not look the same as you can see from the photo below. I labeled the photos; to see caption, click on photo. The one on the left had a distinct pinkish hue on the breast. I asked Google whether male and female mourning doves can be distinguished. ANSWER: The male has a pinkish breast and bluish wash on it head. The female is more brown all over.
I would describe the female I saw as more grey all over. I still didn't feel too confident about it but then last night I saw two males, by my reckoning. I asked a more experienced birder's opinion and he agreed that I had sexed them correctly. So I'm sharing with others in case you're interested.