Columbina inca
The diminutive Inca Dove (*Columbina inca*) is a charming and common resident of arid and semi-arid regions, instantly recognizable by its intricate, scaled plumage that gives it a textured, almost reptilian appearance. Measuring typically 16.5-22 cm (6.5-8.7 inches) in length with a wingspan of approximately 28 cm (11 inches) and weighing a mere 30-58 grams (1.1-2.0 oz), it possesses a slender body and a relatively long, tapering tail. Its overall coloration is a muted grayish-brown, with ea...
Inca Doves primarily inhabit arid and semi-arid scrublands, open woodlands, mesquite thickets, and, notably, urban and suburban environments with scattered trees and shrubs. They are typically found at low to mid-elevations, favoring disturbed areas and human developments.
Their diet consists almost entirely of small seeds, particularly those of grasses and weeds, which they glean from the ground. Occasionally, they will supplement their diet with small insects or berries.
Inca Doves are diurnal, spending much of their day foraging on the ground or perching conspicuously on wires, fences, or low branches. They employ a distinctive swift walking gait rather than hopping, often making short, quick dashes between seed patches. Males engage in a bowing display with fan...
The Inca Dove is a resident species found primarily across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and much of Central America. In the U.S., its core breeding and year-round range includes southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and a significant portion of Texas, extending northward into Oklah...
Least Concern
- The Inca Dove's distinctive "scaly" appearance is due to the dark edging on each feather, a unique and unmistakable field mark among doves. - In cold weather, Inca Doves are known to form "pyramids" by huddling together, sometimes several layers deep, to conserve body heat, a truly remarkable s...