Doves have been a symbol of peace and love for centuries, but did you know that there are 9 different species of these beautiful birds residing in Florida?
From the stunning White-winged Dove to the elusive Inca Dove, each species brings its own unique characteristics and beauty to the Sunshine State.
So, get ready to broaden your bird-watching horizons and discover the diversity of doves in Florida with this guide.
| Image | Name |
|---|---|
 | Mourning Dove |
 | Zenaida Dove |
 | Common Ground-Dove |
 | Ruddy Quail-Dove |
 | Eurasian Collared-Dove |
 | White-winged Dove |
 | Key West Quail-dove |
 | African Collared-Dove |
 | Inca dove |
Types of Doves in Florida
1. Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove is among the most frequent birds across North America, particularly near agricultural and residential areas.
The underbelly of this bird is white, while the rest of its body is a brownish-gray shade.
There is a little black patch on the side of the face, and both the wings and the tail remain pointed.
The Mourning Dove is easily identifiable by its greyish blue eyering, pinkish toes, and legs.
It is a popular bird that breeds across Florida and may be observed there throughout the whole year.
It is also common in open woods throughout the winter season, but it avoids densely forested areas.
These doves can frequently be spotted scavenging for seeds on the ground or sitting on telephone lines.
They can also be observed strolling about on the ground.
By safflower seeds, strewing millet, broken corn, and Nyjer seeds on the ground, you will have a far better chance of luring these doves toward your backyard.
If you want to do so, however, you should ensure that there aren’t any bushes or shrubs within a short distance of the feeding location.
Cats like using cover in order to pursue and attack these doves when they are eating on the ground.
2. Zenaida Dove
Doves of the Zenaida genus are birds that migrate across the southern regions of the United States.
They are a kind of dove that is famous for the stunning green and blue feathers that cover their bodies.
The Zenaida dove gets its name from the Zenaida flower, which serves as the primary source of food for these birds when they are migrating.
Doves of the Zenaida species spend the winter months in Mexico or Florida, where the temperature is milder.
Because both its natural habitats and its overall population sizes are shrinking, the Zenaida dove has been classified as a threatened species.
Furthermore, their number has been consistently expanding because of the efforts that have been put into conservation over the last several decades.
3. Common Ground-Dove
The Common Ground Dove is a species of tiny bird native to Florida that is comparable in size to a sparrow.
From Florida, mostly in the east, all the way out to California in the west, you may find this species throughout the southern states of the United States.
The general coloring of these doves is a brownish grey, and the wings have shades of chocolate brown in them.
These birds are difficult to locate on the ground owing to their little size and muted, dusty coloration, all of which combine to make them difficult to see.
There is a good chance that you won’t notice these doves unless you startle them off the ground and watch as they take off.
Even if you can’t see the bird because it’s concealed in dense brush, you can still recognize it by its distinctive cooing cry, which repeats itself in a pattern.
This call can be heard even if you can’t see the bird.
Breeding pairs of Common Ground Doves may be found across the state of Florida since these birds stay there year-round.
They are frequent visitors to bird feeders on the ground that provide shelled sunflower seeds and other types of seeds.
These birds are able to successfully rear their young in their native desert environment because they are opportunistic breeders.
They do so during periods of abundant rainfall that result in excess seeds.
Because they nest mostly on the ground, they are susceptible to attack from several predators.
This aids in comprehending why these doves have such effective camouflage, which enables them to merge in with their environment.
4. Ruddy Quail-Dove
The Ruddy Quail-Dove, or Geotrygon Montana, is a species of a dove about the size of a quail and may be encountered in large areas of North America and certain regions of Central America.
The majority of the time, you’ll find them in open places with an abundance of grass, although they may also be spotted in locations with some bush.
The seeds, fruits, and insects that make up their food vary based on the time of year and the environment in which they live.
Due to the red plumage on their chests and tails, these creatures may be recognized with relative ease.
They are not in any immediate danger from humans, although they could get agitated if you attempt to snap their photo or capture them in a trap.
5. Eurasian Collared-Dove
The Eurasian Collared-Dove wasn’t a species of bird that was indigenous to North America at one time.
However, after being unintentionally brought to the Bahamas in the 1970s, the Eurasian Collared-Dove began to overrun Florida in the 1980s and has since proceeded to expand across the majority of North America.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is a widespread breeding bird throughout urban settings of Florida.
It is sometimes seen in the same locations as the Mourning Dove, which is another common name for this species.
This dove may be distinguished from Mourning Doves by the fact that it has a black half-collar on the back of its neck and white spots on its tail, both of which are particularly noticeable when the bird is flushed from the ground.
In spite of the fact that these doves do not migrate, they are very dispersive after the mating season, and as a consequence, they may be found in locations in which they would not ordinarily nest.
By scattering bird food on the ground within your garden, you may easily invite doves like these to visit your garden.
6. White-winged Dove
In the past, the White-winged Dove was mostly found in isolated desert regions.
It is now a widespread breeding bird throughout towns and cities throughout the southern United States, especially southern Florida, as a consequence of the bird’s capacity for adaptation to man-made environments.
The White-winged Dove is nearly totally light grey in color, with the exception of a brilliant white stripe that runs down its wings.
When it soars to the sky, the white spots on the wings become most noticeable, and they are an excellent trait for recognizing this particular species.
It has a dark mark on its face, and if you look at it closely enough, you’ll see that one of its eyes is brilliant orange and features a light blue eyering.
These are also wonderful ways to tell it apart from other animals.
These birds may be seen rather regularly in metropolitan areas that have trees that are appropriate for breeding, and the vast majority of the time, they are spotted feeding on the ground.
Outside of the months in which it is breeding, this species of a dove may also be seen in coastal locations along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
The birds that spend the wintertime in these locations are migratory and spend their breeding seasons in other states that are located farther north of Florida.
7. Key West Quail-dove
The Florida Keys are home to a variety of migratory birds, including the Key West Quail-dove.
It is a little dove that has a brownish back and rump that is a lighter tint.
The band-tailed pigeon was traditionally recognized as a later subspecies; however, the Key West quail-dove is a highly similar relative of this bird.
Open environments like pastures, golf courses, forests, and other natural places are where you are most likely to see this species of dove.
It consumes things like seeds and insects, as well as other tiny animals.
It constructs its nest out of sticks on higher ground or in trees, where it then spends around Sixteen days incubating its eggs.
Approximately Twenty days after hatching, the chicks are able to fly on their own.
8. African Collared-Dove
In spite of the fact that the African Collared-Dove is only encountered in the wild across Florida on a very infrequent basis, fugitive birds are often observed in the state.
Furthermore, there have been many sightings and reports of wild breeding colonies of Ringed Turtle-Doves in the state.
The Ringed Turtle-Dove is the domestic subspecies of this species.
Nevertheless, due to the fact that these doves seem to be quite identical to Eurasian Collared-Doves, it is difficult to verify these allegations.
You can identify which one is which by looking at the color of the under tail coverts on each of their tails.
The under tail coverts of the African Collared-Dove are generally white, whereas those of the Eurasian Collared-Dove is a greyish color.
The sounds that these birds make are an even more effective method to identify them differently.
The call of the African Collared-Dove, which is described as sounding like a “soft purring,” is quite unlike the cooing call of the Eurasian Collared-Dove.
9. Inca Dove
A little dove known as the Columbina Inca (Inca dove) may be found throughout a significant portion of the Andes Mountains across South America.
It is thought to be a very uncommon bird, and while it has haven’t been subjected to a great deal of research, there is a good chance that it is at risk of extinction.
The Inca dove is among the few kinds of wild doves that are able to nest successfully in areas of great altitude.
It builds its nest by constructing a hole in a tree or rocks with sticks and, on average, deposits two eggs.
The chamber may be protected from the elements.
Following a period of around 22 to 24 days, during which the eggs are cared for and incubated by both sexes, the baby birds eventually fledge and fly from the nest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the variety of doves found in Florida is truly remarkable and adds to the state’s rich biodiversity.
From their distinctive calls to their unique feather patterns, each species has something special to offer.
Whether you are an avid bird-watcher or just enjoy the beauty of nature, taking the time to observe and learn about the different types of doves in Florida is a truly enriching experience.
So, grab your binoculars and head outside to discover the wondrous world of Florida’s dove species.
FAQ
What are the common types of doves found in Florida?
The most common types of doves found in Florida are the White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, and the Rock Pigeon.
What distinguishes the White-winged Dove from other doves?
The White-winged Dove can be identified by its distinctive white patch on its wings and its long, pointed tail feathers. It is also larger in size compared to other doves found in Florida.
Where can I find these types of doves in Florida?
The White-winged Dove is primarily found in the southern regions of Florida, while the Mourning Dove can be found throughout the state. The Rock Pigeon can be found in urban areas and parks.
Are these doves native to Florida?
The White-winged Dove and the Mourning Dove are native to Florida. The Rock Pigeon is not native to Florida but was introduced by humans.
What do these doves feed on?
The White-winged Dove feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects. The Mourning Dove feeds on seeds and grain, while the Rock Pigeon feeds on a variety of foods including seeds, grains, and waste food.
Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Lily Aldrin
