Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Arkansas
May, April and June is the best time to see mourning doves in Arkansas. Based on 1,340 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in Arkansas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Mourning Dove · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Mourning Dove · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Mourning Dove · hr_dragonfly CC BY
1,340 verified observations of mourning doves in Arkansas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Arkansas
Peak month
May
244 records (18.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 54 | 4% |
| February | 106 | 7.9% |
| March | 130 | 9.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 227 | 16.9% |
| Maypeak | 244 | 18.2% |
| Junepeak | 168 | 12.5% |
| July | 111 | 8.3% |
| August | 88 | 6.6% |
| September | 70 | 5.2% |
| October | 62 | 4.6% |
| November | 44 | 3.3% |
| December | 36 | 2.7% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 1,340 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arkansas
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 52 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 36°F | 4.7" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 5.3" |
| Mar | 64°F | 45°F | 6.1" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 6.8" |
| Maybest time | 80°F | 62°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 4.4" |
| Jul | 92°F | 74°F | 3.7" |
| Aug | 91°F | 74°F | 3.3" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 2" |
| Oct | 74°F | 56°F | 4.3" |
| Nov | 61°F | 43°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 57°F | 40°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arkansas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in Arkansas peak in May, when 244 of the year's 1,340 verified observations are logged — about 18.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December, November and January, when mourning doves are hardest to find — December sees just 36 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial — National Memorial
- Buffalo National River — National River
- Hot Springs National Park — National Park
- Pea Ridge National Military Park — National Military Park
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Fort Smith National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in Arkansas?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 1,340 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Arkansas?+
December is the quietest month for mourning doves in Arkansas, with only 36 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Arkansas?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arkansas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Arkansas