Best Time to See Mourning Doves in North Dakota
June, May and September is the best time to see mourning doves in North Dakota. Based on 251 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in North Dakota.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
251 verified observations of mourning doves in North Dakota, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
65 records (25.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 0.4% |
| February | 2 | 0.8% |
| March | 2 | 0.8% |
| April | 33 | 13.1% |
| Maypeak | 42 | 16.7% |
| Junepeak | 65 | 25.9% |
| July | 33 | 13.1% |
| August | 35 | 13.9% |
| Septemberpeak | 36 | 14.3% |
| October | 1 | 0.4% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 0.4% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 251 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in North Dakota
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 43 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°F | 6°F | 0.7" |
| Feb | 18°F | 1°F | 0.7" |
| Mar | 34°F | 17°F | 0.7" |
| Apr | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1" |
| Maybest time | 64°F | 43°F | 2.3" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 2.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 2" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 2" |
| Sepbest time | 71°F | 52°F | 2.3" |
| Oct | 51°F | 36°F | 2.4" |
| Nov | 37°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 25°F | 11°F | 1.2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for North Dakota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in North Dakota peak in June, when 65 of the year's 251 verified observations are logged — about 25.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, May and September.
The quietest stretch is November, January and October, when mourning doves are hardest to find — no verified records exist for November. 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park — National Park
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Arrowwood NWR (general)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in North Dakota?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, May and September, based on 251 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in North Dakota?+
November is the quietest month for mourning doves in North Dakota, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are mourning doves active year-round in North Dakota?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 11 of 12 months in North Dakota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More wildlife in North Dakota