Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Pennsylvania
April, May and March is the best time to see mourning doves in Pennsylvania. Based on 10,661 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves are most active across the year in Pennsylvania.
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 · William J. Deml CC BY
Mourning Dove · Bill Keim CC BY
Mourning Dove · Public domain CC0
10,661 verified observations of mourning doves in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
April
2,037 records (19.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 659 | 6.2% |
| February | 855 | 8% |
| Marchpeak | 1,257 | 11.8% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,037 | 19.1% |
| Maypeak | 1,340 | 12.6% |
| June | 1,083 | 10.2% |
| July | 670 | 6.3% |
| August | 631 | 5.9% |
| September | 780 | 7.3% |
| October | 528 | 5% |
| November | 396 | 3.7% |
| December | 425 | 4% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 10,661 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Pennsylvania
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 31 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F | 23°F | 3.1" |
| Feb | 41°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
| Marbest time | 50°F | 31°F | 3.3" |
| Aprbest time | 60°F | 40°F | 4.1" |
| Maybest time | 70°F | 49°F | 4.1" |
| Jun | 79°F | 59°F | 3.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 65°F | 3.2" |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 75°F | 57°F | 3.9" |
| Oct | 64°F | 47°F | 4" |
| Nov | 51°F | 35°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 43°F | 29°F | 4.3" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Pennsylvania. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of mourning doves in Pennsylvania peak in April, when 2,037 of the year's 10,661 verified observations are logged — about 19.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and March.
The quietest stretch is November, December and October, when mourning doves are hardest to find — November sees just 396 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site — National Historic Site
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see mourning doves in Pennsylvania?+
April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and March, based on 10,661 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Pennsylvania?+
November is the quietest month for mourning doves in Pennsylvania, with only 396 verified records.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Pennsylvania?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Pennsylvania, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.
More wildlife in Pennsylvania