🌿ESM

Are There Mourning Doves in Hawaii?

Mourning doves are not native to Hawaii but have become established as an introduced species on Maui and a few other islands. They are uncommon across the Hawaiian archipelago and restricted to specific areas where they have colonized. Their presence is entirely the result of human introductions, not natural range expansion from the mainland.

T

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 Hawaii

Mourning Dove · Damien Wallace CC BY

Mourning Dove photographed in Hawaii

Mourning Dove · cello caruso-turiello CC BY

Mourning Dove photographed in Hawaii

Mourning Dove · Damien Wallace CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Hawaii
1
species recorded
4,805
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots
March, February, April
peak months

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

Real sighting data, source iNaturalist

73 verified observations on iNaturalist of mourning dove have been recorded in Hawaii, most often in March, February, April.

When mourning dove are recorded in Hawaii

Mourning doves are not native to Hawaii but have become established as an introduced species on Maui and a few other islands. They are uncommon across the Hawaiian archipelago and restricted to specific areas where they have colonized. Their presence is entirely the result of human introductions, not natural range expansion from the mainland.

Mourning Dove Distribution in Hawaii

Mourning doves in Hawaii are found only on Maui and possibly Oahu as small established populations. They are absent from the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and most other islands in the state. Even on Maui, their range is limited to certain dry lowland areas, particularly the leeward side of the island. They have not successfully colonized the wet windward coasts or high elevation regions. On Maui, they concentrate in the Kihei-Wailea area and other dry regions below 2,000 feet where sparse native shrubs and introduced grasses provide suitable habitat. Any mourning dove in the main islands is an exotic species, a reminder of how human activities transport birds across vast ocean distances. These birds will never spread naturally to other Hawaiian islands without human assistance, as the open ocean remains an impassable barrier. To learn about native Hawaiian birds, visit/wildlife/hawaiifor comprehensive island guides. Seethe Mourning Dove guide for Hawaiifor more.

How Mourning Doves Arrived and Seasonal Presence

Mourning doves were deliberately introduced to Hawaii by people seeking familiar birds from the mainland, similar to how European Starlings and House Sparrows were brought to North America. The timing of introductions likely occurred in the mid-20th century, and the species has maintained small populations since. Unlike mainland populations that migrate seasonally, Hawaii's mourning doves are year-round residents where established. They do not undergo traditional migration, as Hawaii's climate remains relatively stable year-round and food availability does not fluctuate dramatically like in temperate zones. Population numbers remain low and stable with no indication of range expansion. The lack of natural predators and competitors in their introduced range keeps populations in check, along with the limited availability of suitable habitat in Hawaii's dry zones. If you visit Maui, you might encounter them in tourist areas or on golf courses, but sightings remain uncommon compared to mainland populations. Seethe Hawaii wildlife guidefor more.

Identifying Mourning Doves in Hawaii

Mourning doves in Hawaii show the same field marks as their mainland counterparts. They are slender, medium-sized doves roughly 12 inches long with a pointed tail and warm buffy-brown plumage. A distinctive black spot marks the cheek, and iridescent purplish-green feathers show on the neck side. The wings are darker brown with darker flight feathers creating a contrasting pattern. In flight, the white spots on outer tail feathers are visible and diagnostic. Their call is the soft, mournful cooing series that gives them their name: coo-OO-coo-coo. The pointed tail and overall sleek shape distinguish them from introduced Rock Pigeons, which are stockier and lack the pointed tail. Females are slightly duller than males, though both sexes share the same basic pattern. Their small size and graceful proportions make them distinctive even to observers unfamiliar with mainland birds. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Habitats and Sighting Locations on Hawaii Islands

Mourning doves on Maui favor dry, open habitats with scattered trees and shrubs. The leeward slopes of the West Maui mountains, particularly around Kihei and Wailea, offer the sparse vegetation they prefer. They congregate around resort properties, golf courses, and landscaped areas where introduced trees like kiawe provide perching and scattered seeds. They avoid the wet windward coasts and closed native forests of the crater regions. During early morning and late afternoon, they are most vocal and active. Look for them perching on power lines, dead branches, or roof edges of buildings where they have excellent visibility. In the few dry valleys and grasslands where they occur, they can sometimes be spotted on the ground foraging for seeds. Visiting the/wildlifesection provides guides to finding other birds throughout Hawaii, including the many endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers and seabirds found nowhere else on Earth.

Behavior and Feeding Ecology in Hawaii

Mourning doves in Hawaii feed like their mainland counterparts, walking on the ground and picking up small seeds from dry grass and introduced weeds. They visit parks and gardens where seeds are scattered or available from ornamental plants. Their diet in Hawaii likely includes seeds from introduced kiawe trees, which produce abundant small seeds. They are shy compared to Rock Pigeons and tend to flee when approached. Males call from exposed perches, using their soft cooing to establish territories and attract mates. They likely breed year-round in Hawaii's stable climate, though breeding patterns have not been extensively studied. Their flimsy stick nests are built in trees and shrubs, sometimes on building ledges in developed areas. They are social birds that often forage in small loose flocks but may pair off during breeding season. Unlike their mainland relatives that raise multiple broods per year, Hawaii's year-round mild climate may allow even more frequent breeding, though specific data is limited.

Ecological Impact and Coexistence in Hawaii

Mourning doves as an introduced species in Hawaii have uncertain ecological impacts. Being seed-eaters, they compete with native Hawaiian birds like the Amakihi for seeds of native plants, though their limited range reduces direct competition. Their presence is another example of how introduced bird species alter Hawaiian ecosystems that evolved in isolation for millions of years. Unlike some invasive species, mourning doves do not pose direct threats to endangered Hawaiian birds, as they occupy different niches. However, they do represent the ongoing challenge of introduced species in Hawaii. They are not controlled or managed by any state agency, as their small population and limited range do not trigger conservation concerns. Residents in areas where they occur generally tolerate them as they do no agricultural damage. They are protected under Hawaiian law, as all bird species are, whether native or introduced. Understanding mourning doves as part of Hawaii's bird group requires acknowledging their non-native origins while recognizing their establishment.

Species That Might Be Confused with Mourning Doves

Rock Pigeons are the most likely confusion species with mourning doves on Maui. Rock Pigeons are stockier and heavier-bodied, show iridescent neck patches of green and purple, and have a squared tail rather than the pointed tail of mourning doves. Rock Pigeons are far more common in Hawaii's human settlements and produce loud, varied vocalizations unlike the mourning dove's soft call. The Zebra Dove, another introduced species found mainly on Hawaii island and Oahu, is smaller than mourning doves and shows a distinctive black and white barred pattern on the body and wings. Zebra Doves are also more common in their established range than mourning doves are. Japanese Quail, another introduced species in some Hawaiian areas, are much smaller and show different coloring and behavior. Among native Hawaiian birds, the Hawaiian Hawk or Io might be confused at a glance, but it is a raptor with a completely different silhouette and behavior. With practice, the mourning dove's unique pointed tail, buffy color, and soft call become immediately recognizable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mourning Doves in Hawaii

Q: Are mourning doves native to Hawaii? A: No, mourning doves are not native to Hawaii. They were introduced by humans, likely in the mid-20th century, and have established small populations only on Maui and possibly Oahu. They have never naturally colonized the islands. Q: Why are mourning doves so rare in Hawaii? A: Mourning doves require dry, open habitats and specific seed-bearing plants. Most of Hawaii's islands are either too wet or lack the suitable dry lowland habitats the species needs to establish populations. Q: What do mourning doves eat in Hawaii? A: They feed on small seeds from dry grasses, weeds, and introduced trees like kiawe. They also visit landscaped areas and resort grounds where seeds are available. Q: Can mourning doves spread to other Hawaiian islands? A: Naturally, no. The open ocean between islands acts as an impassable barrier. Any spread would require human transport of birds, which is not happening intentionally in modern times. Their presence in Hawaii remains limited to a few islands.

Plan your trip

Best time to see mourning dove in Hawaii: March, February, April

See the month-by-month sighting calendar.

When to go

Plan your mourning dove sighting in Hawaii

4,805 verified mourning dove records have been logged in Hawaii, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Hawaii

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent mourning dove sightings

  • Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Lahaina US-HI 20.91270, -156.69237 · 2026-07-20 05:50 · 2 seen
  • Keomuku Road · 2026-07-18 10:00 · 2 seen
  • Thompson Rd · 2026-07-17 19:38 · 4 seen
  • Kealia Pond NWR · 2026-07-17 17:00 · 4 seen
  • Pearl Harbor NWR--Honouliuli Unit (restricted access) · 2026-07-17 14:59 · 1 seen

Planning a trip to see mourning dove? Find places to stay near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on Booking.com.

More wildlife in Hawaii

Squirrel in HawaiiBear in HawaiiRaccoon in HawaiiRabbit in HawaiiCoyote in HawaiiPelican in HawaiiLadybug in HawaiiHummingbird in Hawaii