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Are There Mourning Doves in Colorado?

Yes, mourning doves are common summer residents and breeders throughout Colorado. They arrive in late spring and remain through early fall, departing before harsh winters. The species is found statewide at low and moderate elevations from the eastern plains through the Front Range foothills to western valleys. Spring and summer are peak seasons for observing mourning doves.

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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 photographed in Colorado

Mourning Dove · Alan Prather CC BY

Mourning Dove photographed in Colorado

Mourning Dove · miltrobinson CC BY-ND

Mourning Dove photographed in Colorado

Mourning Dove · Jared Shorma CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Colorado
1
species recorded
542,136
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots
May, June, April
peak months

Yes, mourning doves are in Colorado. Next you'll want:

Real sighting data, source iNaturalist

2,152 verified observations on iNaturalist of mourning dove have been recorded in Colorado, most often in May, June, April.

When mourning dove are recorded in Colorado

Yes, mourning doves are common summer residents and breeders throughout Colorado. They arrive in late spring and remain through early fall, departing before harsh winters. The species is found statewide at low and moderate elevations from the eastern plains through the Front Range foothills to western valleys. Spring and summer are peak seasons for observing mourning doves.

Where Mourning Doves Are Found in Colorado

Mourning doves breed throughout Colorado at suitable elevations, statewide. They are present across the eastern plains from the Nebraska border south through the Panhandle region. The Front Range foothills from Fort Collins south through El Paso County support large populations. Western Colorado valleys, including areas around the Colorado River, the Gunnison River valley, and lower elevation habitats throughout the Western Slope provide breeding habitat. Parks and reserves including Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, various state parks, and Bureau of Land Management lands support populations. Urban and suburban areas in Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, and smaller towns host populations during breeding season. The species is absent from high-elevation areas above approximately 8,000 feet where cold and snow limit survival. River valleys and lower elevation habitats provide essential breeding grounds. Sagebrush areas, grasslands, and open woodlands throughout the state support mourning doves during the breeding season. Seethe Mourning Dove guide for Coloradofor more.

Seasonal Patterns and Migration

Mourning doves are migratory in Colorado, arriving in late April and May, remaining through breeding season, and departing in August and September. Peak presence occurs from May through August when breeding and courtship activity is most intense. Males vocalize most persistently during June and July. The species does not remain in Colorado during winter months when snow cover makes seed-foraging impossible. Most Colorado mourning doves winter in Mexico or southern states. Early arrivals in spring may encounter late snowstorms, but generally survive through the breeding season. Fall migration occurs gradually, with birds dispersing southward through August and September. By October, mourning doves are rare in Colorado. Spring birds begin to appear by late April as temperatures warm. The narrow breeding window from spring through early fall determines all reproductive activity. Variation in arrival and departure dates corresponds with local weather patterns and food availability. Seethe Colorado wildlife guidefor more.

Identifying Colorado Mourning Doves

Mourning doves are slender, delicate pigeons approximately 12 inches long with distinctly long, pointed tails making up much of their length. Both males and females wear warm tan and buff-brown plumage with subtle peachy tones on the head and neck. A small dark spot below the eye resembles a beauty mark or teardrop. Males display iridescent purple-red sheen on the neck and breast during breeding season, visible in good light. The wings show fine dark barring and small spots on the coverts. In flight, white patches visible on the outer tail feathers provide a distinctive field mark. The soft, mournful cooing call sounds like "coo-coo, coo, coo" or "coo-woo-woo, woo-woo," from which the bird derives its name. This call is one of Colorado's distinctive spring sounds. The slender body, pointed tail, and soft vocalizations distinguish mourning doves from other Colorado pigeon species. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Prime Viewing Locations in Colorado

Mourning doves concentrate in open and semi-open habitats throughout Colorado. Look for them on or near bare ground in grasslands, agricultural areas, and open woodlands. They perch prominently on power lines, fence posts, and tree branches. Water sources attract mourning doves, making them common near ponds, creeks, and fountains during dry periods. Suburban gardens and parks with seed-producing plants and birdfeeders host populations during breeding season. Open riparian areas along Colorado's rivers and streams support concentrations of birds. Areas near the South Platte River, Arkansas River, and Colorado River host good populations. State parks including Barr Lake, Cherry Creek, and various parks throughout the Front Range provide excellent viewing. Early morning visits to open habitats offer the best opportunities to observe active birds and hear territorial males. Eastern plains grasslands support good populations. Small agricultural communities throughout Colorado provide reliable viewing locations. Seethe Mourning Dove guide for Coloradofor more.

Mourning Dove Behavior During the Colorado Season

Mourning doves are seed-eating specialists that forage by walking on bare ground, picking up fallen seeds from grasses and cultivated crops. They visit birdfeeders regularly, preferring small seeds like millet. These birds are generally found in small flocks outside the breeding season. During spring and summer, males become territorial and defensive. They perform elaborate courtship displays, bowing repeatedly and cooing persistently. Both parents incubate eggs and feed young with nutrient-rich crop milk. Mourning doves are swift, direct fliers and take off with an explosive wing clap when startled. They roost on exposed branches and perches rather than in dense cover. The species drinks regularly and often visits water sources multiple times daily during hot summer months. Communal roosting behavior occurs at dusk. Pairs remain together during breeding season. Seethe Colorado wildlife guidefor more.

Coexistence and Conservation Status

Mourning doves are protected under federal law as migratory game birds and are legally hunted in Colorado during designated seasons in fall. The species is abundant throughout suitable habitats during breeding season. They thrive in open habitats and benefit from suburban development and agricultural landscapes. Coexistence with mourning doves is simple and generally positive during their presence in Colorado. If you enjoy their presence, provide birdfeeders with small seeds, plant native seed-bearing shrubs, or maintain water sources. If you prefer to discourage them, discontinue seed offerings and remove water features. They pose no threat to people, pets, or property. Their soft calls are generally considered pleasant rather than disruptive. Occasional nesting in trees or structures requires no management. Population dynamics remain stable as the species successfully finds adequate breeding habitat across Colorado.

Species Confused with Mourning Doves

Band-tailed pigeons inhabit forested mountain regions of Colorado and might be confused with mourning doves in some settings. Band-tailed pigeons are larger with white nape patches and shorter, broader tails. Common ground-doves are much smaller with scaled plumage and very short tails. They are rare in Colorado and found primarily in the southwestern parts of the state. Rock pigeons, descended from domesticated birds, are stockier with thicker necks and diverse plumage patterns. They lack the long pointed tail and slender body shape. Eurasian collared-doves are larger with thick black neck collars and broader tails. The slender body, long pointed tail, and soft mournful cooing call make mourning doves distinctive and easily identified in Colorado.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do mourning doves arrive in Colorado? Most mourning doves arrive in late April or early May and remain through August and September. Why do mourning doves leave Colorado? They depart because winter snow makes seed-foraging impossible and temperatures become lethal for the species. Can mourning doves survive Colorado winters? No, the species cannot survive Colorado's harsh winters and must migrate to warmer regions. How many broods do Colorado mourning doves raise? Colorado mourning doves typically raise two or three broods during the breeding season from spring through late summer.

Plan your trip

Best time to see mourning dove in Colorado: May, June, April

See the month-by-month sighting calendar.

When to go

Plan your mourning dove sighting in Colorado

542,136 verified mourning dove records have been logged in Colorado, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Colorado

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent mourning dove sightings

  • 7550 County Road 69.3, Trinidad, Colorado, US (37.107, -104.524) · 2026-07-20 11:34 · 5 seen
  • A Rocky Mountain Lake Neighborhood · 2026-07-20 11:27 · 1 seen
  • Holland Park Open Space · 2026-07-20 10:58 · 1 seen
  • Clear Creek Trail--Golden to I-70 · 2026-07-20 10:51 · 2 seen
  • Lake Arbor · 2026-07-20 10:44 · 1 seen

Planning a trip to see mourning dove? Find places to stay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site on Booking.com.

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