Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Missouri
April, May and March is the best time to see mourning doves in Missouri. Based on 2,323 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in Missouri.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
2,323 verified observations of mourning doves in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
April
475 records (20.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 114 | 4.9% |
| February | 151 | 6.5% |
| Marchpeak | 240 | 10.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 475 | 20.4% |
| Maypeak | 362 | 15.6% |
| June | 235 | 10.1% |
| July | 193 | 8.3% |
| August | 161 | 6.9% |
| September | 167 | 7.2% |
| October | 71 | 3.1% |
| November | 66 | 2.8% |
| December | 88 | 3.8% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 2,323 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
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 37 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Marbest time | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Jul | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Oct | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Dec | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in Missouri peak in April, when 475 of the year's 2,323 verified observations are logged — about 20.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is November, October and December, when mourning doves are hardest to find — November sees just 66 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 Missouri 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 Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in Missouri?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 2,323 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Missouri?+
November is the quietest month for mourning doves in Missouri, with only 66 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Missouri?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Missouri