Doves are a familiar sight across the North American landscape, prompting many to wonder about their origins. These birds belong to the family Columbidae, which includes both doves and pigeons. The direct answer to whether doves are native is a definitive yes, as numerous species have been established residents on the continent for centuries. However, the presence of certain widespread newcomers has complicated this question for the average observer.
North America’s Native Doves
The most widespread and recognizable indigenous species is the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), which occurs in all of the contiguous 48 states, southern Canada, and into Mexico. This bird is characterized by its slender body, long, pointed tail, and subtle grayish-brown plumage with small black spots on the wings. Mourning Doves are prolific breeders, which helps sustain their population despite being one of the most frequently hunted game birds on the continent.
Another prominent native is the White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), historically concentrated in the American Southwest and Mexico. This species is slightly larger than its mourning counterpart and is easily identified by the distinct white patches on the edges of its wings, visible even when the bird is perched. The White-winged Dove’s tail is shorter and more square-tipped, contrasting with the Mourning Dove’s tapered design.
North America also hosts several smaller, less broadly distributed native doves, particularly in the southern states. The tiny Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) is the smallest dove species found in the United States, rarely reaching seven inches in length. It spends most of its time foraging on the ground in open, brushy areas.
The Inca Dove (Columbina inca), distinguished by its intricate, scaled feather pattern, is a resident of the Southwestern U.S. and Central America. While these smaller natives may not be as broadly encountered as the Mourning Dove, their presence confirms a deep, natural history for the family Columbidae within the continent’s ecosystems.
The Introduced Species Causing Confusion
The confusion about the native status of North American doves is largely due to the rapid expansion of an introduced bird, the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). This species is not indigenous to the Americas but began its colonization from an unexpected source. A small population of these doves was either accidentally released or escaped from a pet shop in the Bahamas in the 1970s.
From the Caribbean islands, the Eurasian Collared-Dove successfully made the jump to mainland Florida in the early 1980s. The species then exhibited a remarkable dispersal rate, rapidly expanding its range westward and northward across the continent. Today, it is a common sight in nearly every state, leading many to assume all doves are recent arrivals.
Visually, the Eurasian Collared-Dove differs from its native relatives, being noticeably larger and having a chunkier build than the Mourning Dove. Its most distinctive feature is the prominent black, half-collar marking on the nape of its neck, a trait absent in native species. The tail of the Collared-Dove is also square-tipped, unlike the Mourning Dove’s signature pointed tail.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
The diverse group of doves in North America has adapted to a wide array of habitats, reflecting their broad geographic distribution. The highly adaptable Mourning Dove thrives in nearly any open environment, from agricultural fields and suburban parks to arid grasslands and open woodlands across the entire continent. Its success is rooted in its ability to utilize human-modified landscapes for foraging and nesting.
Native White-winged Doves are strongly associated with the arid and semi-arid regions of the Southwestern U.S., particularly thriving in the scrublands and desert riparian areas that offer suitable nesting trees. Their diet often includes the fruits and seeds of native desert plants, such as the saguaro cactus. The Inca Dove also favors the Southwest, but it has a strong preference for urban and suburban environments, often found walking in residential yards and utilizing human structures for roosting, provided there is a reliable water source nearby.
In contrast, the tiny Common Ground-Dove is primarily found in the brushy fields, open pine woods, and coastal scrub of the Southern and Southeastern states, rarely venturing far from the ground. Meanwhile, the introduced Eurasian Collared-Dove has shown a strong affinity for human-developed areas, including towns, suburban settings, and around grain elevators where food is abundant. This species’ preference for these human-adjacent habitats has allowed it to quickly fill a niche across the continent.