African Mourning Dove song and calls

Birdsong and calls are often the easiest way to identify the African Mourning Dove, especially when the bird is hidden in dense foliage. Below is what to listen for.

Song

The song is a characteristic mournful cooing, often transcribed as 'coo-COO-coo-coo-coo' or 'doo-doo-doo-doo-doo', with the second note emphasized. It is a series of soft, descending notes.

Calls

Alarm call is a sharp 'whirr' as they take flight. Contact calls are softer cooing notes.

When they vocalize

Vocalizes throughout the day, but most frequently in the early morning and late afternoon, especially during the breeding season.

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