The family Columbidae, which encompasses both doves and pigeons, are birds often encountered in backyards, parks, and agricultural areas, making their accurate identification a common point of interest. Differentiating these species relies on observing a combination of specific anatomical traits, characteristic sounds, and recognizable behaviors. Learning to recognize these multi-sensory markers allows for a clear distinction between the various doves that populate local landscapes.
Physical Features Unique to Doves
Doves possess a distinctive body plan that separates them from most other common bird species, characterized by a plump, stout body and a relatively small, round head. This compact, stocky physique is supported by short, often pinkish legs, giving them a low-slung profile when walking on the ground. Their necks are noticeably short, contributing to the streamlined, robust appearance that is typical of the family Columbidae.
The bill is generally short and slender, featuring a fleshy structure at the base known as a cere, which may be more or less pronounced depending on the species. Many granivorous doves exhibit soft, muted color palettes of grayish-browns, tans, and buffy colors that offer excellent camouflage against open ground. While many doves appear drab, some species may display patches of iridescent, metallic-looking feathers on the neck or head.
The shape of the tail varies distinctly between common types. Some species, such as the Mourning Dove, have a long, tapered, and pointed tail, unique among North American doves. In contrast, species like the Eurasian Collared-Dove display a broader, more squared-off tail shape, often tipped with a contrasting band of color.
Identifying Doves By Sound
Auditory identification is crucial for locating and distinguishing doves, as their vocalizations are unlike the complex songs of many songbirds. The characteristic sound of most doves is a gentle, low-pitched cooing, giving one prominent species its common name. This non-musical vocalization is often repeated in series and can be heard over considerable distances, especially during the breeding season.
Different species have variations of this sound, such as the Eurasian Collared-Dove’s repetitive, three-syllable call described as a soft koo-koo-kook. Beyond vocal cues, a non-vocal sound is a powerful identifier for some species, most notably the Mourning Dove. As this dove takes flight, the rapid movement of its stiff wing feathers creates a distinct, high-pitched whistling or light rattling sound. This wing whistle is an immediate signal of a dove’s presence, even if the bird is not visible.
Habitat and Behavioral Clues
Doves are found in a wide variety of habitats, from dense forests to urban parks, but they display consistent behaviors that aid in identification. Their strong flight muscles allow for extremely fast and direct flight paths. When startled, doves launch into the air with powerful, deep wingbeats and are highly maneuverable, often making sudden, erratic dodges.
When foraging, doves are primarily ground feeders, favoring seeds and grains, and they exhibit a walking gait rather than the hopping motion seen in many smaller perching birds. As they walk, they display a characteristic head-bobbing action, moving their head back and forth with each step. They construct notoriously flimsy nests, typically simple platforms of loosely arranged sticks placed in the branches of trees, shrubs, or on human-made structures.
Distinguishing Common Dove Species
The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is the most widespread and is distinguished by its slender, delicate appearance, long pointed tail, and generally buffy-tan plumage. A small, distinct black spot is typically visible on the lower side of its neck, just behind the eye.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a larger, visibly stockier bird than the Mourning Dove, with a more muted, uniform sandy-gray plumage. Its most obvious field mark is a thin, black half-collar or band clearly visible on the back of its neck. This species also possesses the aforementioned squared-off tail, which helps to separate it from the pointed tail of its cousin.
The White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is easily identified by the broad, prominent white stripe along the edge of its wing. This white patch is visible both when the bird is perched and especially in flight, contrasting sharply with its brownish-gray body. Furthermore, the White-winged Dove has a patch of blue skin surrounding its red eye and a distinct black smudge on its cheek, features absent on the Mourning Dove.
The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), which is technically a dove, is set apart from smaller species by its larger size and typical two prominent black wing-bars. It also frequently exhibits an iridescent sheen of green and purple on its neck, a feature that is generally absent or much less pronounced in the other common dove species.