Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Colorado
May, June and April is the best time to see mourning doves in Colorado. Based on 2,152 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in Colorado.
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 · Alan Prather CC BY
Mourning Dove · miltrobinson CC BY-ND
Mourning Dove · Jared Shorma CC BY
2,152 verified observations of mourning doves in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
May
503 records (23.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 39 | 1.8% |
| February | 41 | 1.9% |
| March | 71 | 3.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 379 | 17.6% |
| Maypeak | 503 | 23.4% |
| Junepeak | 413 | 19.2% |
| July | 310 | 14.4% |
| August | 196 | 9.1% |
| September | 121 | 5.6% |
| October | 34 | 1.6% |
| November | 23 | 1.1% |
| December | 22 | 1% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 2,152 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Colorado
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 20 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 5°F | 0.5" |
| Feb | 27°F | 3°F | 0.9" |
| Mar | 34°F | 9°F | 1.3" |
| Aprbest time | 46°F | 20°F | 1.1" |
| Maybest time | 57°F | 31°F | 2.5" |
| Junbest time | 69°F | 42°F | 2.1" |
| Jul | 76°F | 49°F | 2.5" |
| Aug | 75°F | 48°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 41°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 54°F | 27°F | 0.8" |
| Nov | 40°F | 18°F | 0.6" |
| Dec | 30°F | 10°F | 0.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Colorado. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in Colorado peak in May, when 503 of the year's 2,152 verified observations are logged — about 23.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is December and November, when mourning doves are hardest to find — December sees just 22 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 Colorado 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 Colorado
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park — National Park
- Colorado National Monument — National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument — National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve — National Park & Preserve
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in Colorado?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 2,152 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Colorado?+
December is the quietest month for mourning doves in Colorado, with only 22 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Colorado?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Colorado, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Colorado