Inca Dove

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

The Inca dove or Mexican dove is a small New World dove. The species was first described by French surgeon and naturalist René Lesson in 1847. It reaches a length of 16.5–23 cm (6.5–9.1 in) and weighs 30–58 g (1.1–2.0 oz). The Inca dove has an average wingspan of 28.5 cm and a max wingspan of 32 cm. It is a slender species, with a gray-brown body covered in feathers that resemble a scaled pattern. The tail is long and square and edged with white feathers that may flare out in flight. The underwings are reddish, like other ground doves, and upon takeoff, the wings produce a distinctive, quiet rattling noise.

Source: Wikipedia — Inca dove · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small, slender dove with a scaly-patterned head, neck, and breast (feathers edged dark), a long white-edged tail, and rufous flashes in the wings.

Similar species. Common Ground Dove is shorter-tailed and stubbier; the Inca Dove's long, white-edged tail and overall scaled look are diagnostic.

Voice. A repeated, mournful two-note 'coo-COO' often rendered 'no hope'.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds, grains, fruits.

Behavior. A small, tame dove of southwestern towns, parks, and ranchland; forms tight flocks and on cold nights birds pile in 'pyramids' to conserve heat. Forages on the ground for seeds.

§ Range

Southwestern US, Mexico, Central America

§ Habitat

Open habitats, parks, suburban yards

§ Threats

Habitat loss to development, predation.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the inca dove is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain native plantings.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Inca dove
• www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Columbina inca
• IUCN Red List — search for Columbina inca
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Columbina inca

§ Sources cited

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
• National Audubon Society
• iNaturalist
• IUCN Red List