Do Mourning Doves Migrate

Banding studies confirm that most mourning doves are migratory. Dove migration is usually north and south with relatively little east-west movement. Large numbers of doves that nest in the Central United States and Canada winter in Texas.

Do mourning doves go south for the winter?

Migration. Some remain through winter over most of breeding range, but many move south from northern areas in fall. Migration is mostly by day, in flocks.

What month do mourning doves migrate?

Because mourning doves are unable to tolerate cold weather, the fall migration in the northern part of the range begins as early as late August. Most birds reach their wintering grounds in Mexico and the southern United States in October and November. Southern birds do not migrate.