Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Arizona
April, March and May is the best time to see mourning doves in Arizona. Based on 11,103 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in Arizona.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
11,103 verified observations of mourning doves in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
April
2,142 records (19.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 970 | 8.7% |
| February | 974 | 8.8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,580 | 14.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,142 | 19.3% |
| Maypeak | 1,378 | 12.4% |
| June | 809 | 7.3% |
| July | 591 | 5.3% |
| August | 535 | 4.8% |
| September | 408 | 3.7% |
| October | 408 | 3.7% |
| November | 617 | 5.6% |
| December | 691 | 6.2% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 11,103 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mourning doves are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mourning doves sit around 39 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Marbest time | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Jun | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in Arizona peak in April, when 2,142 of the year's 11,103 verified observations are logged — about 19.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, March and May.
The quietest stretch is September, October and August, when mourning doves are hardest to find — September sees just 408 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mourning doves you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are Mourning Dove — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see mourning doves in Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in Arizona?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, March and May, based on 11,103 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Arizona?+
September is the quietest month for mourning doves in Arizona, with only 408 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Arizona?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Arizona