Zenaida aurita
The Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita) is a charming and widespread member of the pigeon and dove family, Columbidae, found predominantly across the Caribbean. Averaging 28-30 cm (11-12 in) in length with a wingspan of 43-46 cm (17-18 in) and weighing 110-180 g (3.9-6.3 oz), it exhibits a robust yet elegant build. Its plumage is a soft grayish-brown overall, with a distinctive wine-colored wash on the head and neck, complemented by iridescent purple and green patches on the neck sides, particularl...
Zenaida Doves thrive in open dry scrubland, semi-arid coastal areas, agricultural fields, and urban environments such as gardens and parks, generally from sea level up to 1500 meters in elevation.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds from various grasses, weeds, and agricultural crops, supplemented by small fruits, berries, and occasionally small insects or snails, all gathered by gleaning from the ground.
Primarily diurnal, Zenaida Doves spend most of their active hours foraging on the ground. Males engage in characteristic courtship displays, including stiff-winged glides followed by bowing and cooing rituals to attract mates. They typically form monogamous pair bonds and are capable of producing...
The Zenaida Dove is a resident species distributed extensively across the Caribbean archipelago. Its primary breeding and year-round range encompasses the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico), the entire Lesser Antilles chain, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. A ...
Least Concern
- The Zenaida Dove was named after Zénaïde Laetitia Julie Bonaparte, the wife of French zoologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte. - Like all doves and pigeons, they produce a nutrient-rich substance called 'crop milk' (or 'pigeon's milk') to feed their hatchlings, secreted from the lining of their crop...