The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) is a common and widespread bird species found across various landscapes. Its name originates from distinctive markings near its eyes. This bird is a familiar sight in many regions, adapting well to diverse environments.
Eared Dove Identification
The Eared Dove is a small dove, measuring 22 to 28 cm and weighing 112 to 180 grams. Its plumage is olive-brown with black wing spots. A black line extends behind the eye, with blue-black markings on the lower ear coverts, giving the species its “eared” name.
The head displays a grey crown, and underparts are vinous, reddish-purple. It has a long, wedge-shaped tail, often tipped with cinnamon. Males have brighter plumage, while females are duller, and immature birds appear greyish-brown with pale barring.
Habitat and Distribution
Eared Doves are native to the Caribbean and South America, distributed from Trinidad to southern Argentina and Chile. They thrive in open and semi-open environments, including arid scrublands, grasslands with scattered trees, and agricultural fields.
The species adapts well to human-modified landscapes. They are found in urban and suburban areas, frequenting parks, gardens, and industrial zones. They are common on wires and telephone posts near towns, and feed in public urban spaces.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Eared Doves primarily consume seeds, making them granivorous. They forage on the ground for seeds from wild plants. Their diet also includes agricultural crops like corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans, which can comprise up to 70% of their diet in agricultural areas.
Their diet is occasionally supplemented with small fruits or animal matter, including caterpillars, insect pupae, aphids, and snails. They are gregarious when not feeding, often forming large flocks during migration or at communal roosts. Flocking is noticeable when they feed in agricultural fields.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Eared Doves have high reproductive output, often breeding multiple times yearly. The breeding season varies based on local food availability. With abundant food and suitable habitat, they can breed almost continuously.
Nests are simple platforms of twigs and grasses, often placed in trees or shrubs. A clutch consists of two white eggs, hatching after 12 to 14 days. Chicks fledge, or become ready to fly, around 9 days after hatching. Both parents incubate eggs and care for young until independence.
Population and Human Interaction
The Eared Dove is an abundant, widespread species, classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. Their population appears stable, and numbers may be increasing in some regions due to habitat alteration. This species adapts well to human-modified environments, including agricultural lands and urban areas.
While common in farmlands, their crop consumption can lead to them being considered agricultural pests. Populations in areas like Argentina and Bolivia remain robust, with flocks sometimes described as “darkening the skies.” Their resilience allows them to withstand pressures, including extensive hunting in some regions.