Both male and female mourning doves make calls, but the male’s call is louder and more frequent. The mourning dove got its name from its distinctive vocalizations that sound like mournful coos. Their cooing and calling serves several purposes related to courtship, claiming territory, and signaling alarm or contentment. While both sexes vocalize, it is often the louder male coo that draws the most attention.
Male Mourning Dove Call
The male mourning dove’s call is a loud, plaintive coo-OO-oo-coo-coo that can carry for a half mile or more. The coo begins softly and smoothly increases in volume. It is often transcribed as “woo-OO-woo-woo” or “who needs you?” The male will repeat this call over and over while perched in an elevated location or during flight. This serves to both attract females and warn off competing males from his territory.
Males begin calling and establishing territories in late winter before breeding starts. The frequency of calling peaks when females are most fertile between April and August. A male may deliver hundreds of coos a day during this time, up to 20 coos per minute at dawn when breeding activity is highest. The male will call and display his puffed feathers to prospective mates while foraging on the ground. If a female shows interest, the male will continue cooing while strutting in a circle around her.
Other Male Vocalizations
In addition to the advertising coo, male mourning doves make other sounds. A perched male will give a short kuk or uh call upon taking flight. The nest coo is a deep-toned ooOOoo uttered by the male when returning to the nest to relieve the incubating female. Males also make a harsh, clipped kip sound in aggression towards other males or in alarm.
Female Mourning Dove Call
The female mourning dove’s vocalizations are much softer and less frequent than the male’s. Her primary call is a soft, wispy ooOOoo-oo-oo, also transcribed as a hollow “hru-oo” or “who-ours-you.” It is primarily heard when the female is responding to a displaying male during courtship. She may also softly ooOO while visiting potential nest sites.
Once mated, the female dove uses her calls during nest building and incubating. She calls the male to the nest site with rhythmic oohoos. Then she responds to the male’s nest coo with her own hollow ooOOoo nest coo when he arrives to relieve her. The female’s pleading ker calls beg the male to incubate more while she feeds. If a predator approaches, she will emit a low crooning growl.
Other Female Vocalizations
Females make a few other sounds as well. A sharp explosive whop is used to signal immediate alarm. Soft queleles mark contentment between mates or chicks. Hungry nestlings elicit soft chu chu calls from the female. Like males, the female utters a harsh kip in aggression towards intruders at the nest.
Nestling and Fledgling Calls
Young mourning doves start vocalizing while still in the egg, making soft peeping calls audible just prior to hatching. Newly hatched chicks peep frequently at their parents to beg for food. As they grow, their cries become louder and more distinct hoohoos by 10 days old.
Fledglings continue to beg with loud, rhythmic hoohoos whenever a parent is nearby. They hiss and strike with beaks and wings when competing for food. Young doves may continue to beg and follow parents for several weeks after leaving the nest while they learn to forage on their own.
Reasons for Calling
Male and female mourning doves call for a variety of reasons:
Attracting Mates
The male’s advertising call advertises his availability and fitness to females. Calling throughout the breeding season maximizes his chances of attracting a receptive mate.
Defending Territories
Loud cooing also warns rival males to keep away from a calling male’s nesting territory. Males will call aggressively and chase off intruders.
Strengthening Pair Bonds
Duetting between paired males and females strengthens the pair bond. The female only emits her wispy coo in response to her mate.
Locating Partners
Calls allow mates to locate one another when out of sight. Cooing guides the female back to the nest when she is away feeding.
Begging for Food
Nestlings beg with hoohoo calls that stimulate the parents to feed them. Loud calls convey need and health to the parents.
Signaling Alarm
Harsh kip and whop cries alert others to danger. Mates, rivals, and offspring all heed alarm calls and take evasive action.
When Do Mourning Doves Call?
Male and female mourning doves vocalize most actively at the following times:
Dawn and Dusk
Peak calling occurs at dawn and dusk when mourning doves are most active. Light levels make visual displays difficult to see, so vocal signaling predominates.
Spring and Summer
Calling peaks during spring and summer breeding season. Courtship and territorial defense elicit vigorous calling by unmated males.
At Nest Sites
Mated pairs stay in contact vocally when visiting or relieving each other from nest duty. Nest cooing maintains the pair bond.
All Day
Doves may call sporadically throughout the day. Males defend territories, and pairs keep in contact while foraging and roosting.
What Does Mourning Dove Calling Sound Like?
Mourning dove vocalizations are simple but varied:
Male Advertising Call
A loud “woo-OO-woo-woo” or “who needs you?” repeating every few seconds
Female Call
A soft, hollow-sounding “hru-oo” or “who-ours-you” in response to the male
Nest Coos
Deep “ooOOoo” sounds by males and females at the nest
Begging Calls
Loud, rhythmic “hoo-hoo-hoo” of hungry nestlings
Alarm Calls
Harsh, clipped “kip” and explosive “whop” sounds
Contentment Calls
Soft queleles and chu chus between mates and parents and young
How Far Can Mourning Dove Calls Be Heard?
Mourning doves are one of the most vocal and easily heard bird species:
Male Coo
The male’s perch coo carries up to 1/2 mile in optimal conditions. It stands out well against other nature sounds.
Female Call
The female’s hollow call is much fainter, audible less than 100 yards away. It doesn’t carry far from the nest.
Nestling Begging
Nestling hoohoo begging calls are loud enough to be heard from 30 feet away or more.
Alarm Calls
Alarm calls are meant to alert any dove within earshot, so carry some distance. Kip may carry over 100 yards.
Overall, the male mourning dove’s persistent, far-reaching cooing makes him one of the most recognizable calling birds. His vocal displays loudly advertise his presence and availability in an area. The female’s calls are much softer and intended for short-range communication. But both male and female vocalizations are vital for courtship, bonding, territoriality, and signaling danger. Their vocal duets peak during the spring and summer breeding season as pairs come together to raise new broods of calling, cooing mourning dove chicks.
Key Facts About Mourning Dove Calling
Call Type | Sex | Description | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
Advertising Call | Male | Loud “woo-OO-woo-woo” | Attract mate, defend territory |
Nest Coo | Male and Female | Deep “ooOOoo” at nest | Strengthen pair bond |
Begging Call | Nestlings | Rhythmic “hoo-hoo-hoo” | Stimulate feeding |
Alarm Call | Male and Female | Harsh “kip”, explosive “whop” | Signal danger |
Contentment | Adults and young | Soft queleles and chu chus | Signify security, food satisfaction |
Summary
While both male and female mourning doves vocalize, it is the male’s loud, carrying coo that is most recognizable. His persistent calling advertises his availability, defends his territory, and attracts mates. Female calls are softer and meant for short distance communication. Mated pairs also vocalize together to strengthen bonds. Nestlings beg noisily to be fed. A variety of calls signify alarm, contentment, and other needs. Mourning dove vocalizations peak during the spring and summer breeding season as pairs bond, nest, and raise young.