Band-tailed Pigeons are the largest native pigeon species in North America. They live in mixed coniferous forests, oak woodlands, and riverside habitats.
Their grey-blue plumage, white band on their tail, and white crescent on the nape of their neck give them a unique appearance. These birds make a distinctive three-part cooing call.
Moreover, it's an important species for the health and biodiversity of its home forests as it spreads seeds around while feeding. However, it is often considered a pest in some areas when it consumes crops.
The White-crowned Pigeon is a bird species found mainly in the Caribbean and southern Florida. It has a white crown and slate-gray body. It typically inhabits coastal mangroves and keys.
This dove also feeds primarily on red mangrove fruits, contributing to the growth and survival of mangrove forests. While nesting, it prefers dense thickets or mangroves that offer protection against predators.
The European Turtle Dove has light grey feathers, a pink blush on its chest, a black and white striped patch on the side of its neck, and a tail with white edging and a black base.
It lives in woodlands, farmlands, and shrublands across Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. During winter, it migrates to the Sahel region in Africa.
The European Turtle Dove feeds on plant seeds and occasionally invertebrates. Unlike other doves, these turtle doves don’t need to tilt their heads back to drink water.
In the greenery of Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands resides a species of bird called the Pink-headed Fruit Dove. The bird has a pink head, neck, and underparts, contrasting with its emerald wings and back. Males have more intense, vivid pink colors than the females.
As arboreal animals, these doves rarely come to the forest floor. They feed on small fruits and berries available in their forest habitat.
Their nests comprise twigs and leaves; they make nests high in the trees to keep their eggs away from predators.
The Cape Turtle Dove, also known as the Ring-necked Dove or Ringneck Dove, is a medium-sized bird with soft grey-pink feathers, a black ring around its neck, and black-spotted wings.
It can adapt to various environments, including savannas, bushvelds, farms, and urban gardens, and feeds on seeds, grains, fruits, berries, and insects. Despite facing challenges from predators and urbanization, the bird continues to thrive.
The Inca Doves inhabit Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. They have greyish-brown bodies with white-edged tails and scaled patterns on their necks, chests, and backs. Despite their small size and social nature, they fiercely defend their homes.
The Common Ground Dove is a small bird in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is adaptable and resilient, often found in open landscapes like grasslands, farmlands, and scrublands.
The bird's feathers blend pink and gray, allowing it to blend in with the sandy soil. Male doves have a pink chest and a bluish crown, while females have a more subdued color palette.
The Common Ground Doves prefer to scavenge for seeds, grains, and small insects on the ground, and their gentle cooing often rings out.
The Key West Quail-Dove lives in tropical and subtropical forests. It has a golden-brown head and neck, a pink body, blue and green wings, and bare red skin around its eyes.
The bird's low, mournful cooing is the most common sign of its presence. It feeds mainly on seeds and fruits fallen to the forest floor, supplemented occasionally by small insects and other tiny creatures.
The bird typically builds its nest on low bushes or the forest floor and lays one to two eggs at a time. Likewise, both males and females share incubation and chick care duties equally.
However, sighting the Key West Quail-Dove in Key West, its original location, is becoming increasingly rare. Its population and habitat have changed significantly over the years.
The White-tipped Dove can be found in tropical and subtropical forests, mangroves, and savannas. This dove is about the size of a pigeon and has a grey-brown coat with a hint of pink on its chest. Its tail is notable for its striking white tip, and a subtle touch of blue encircles the bird's eye.
This type of dove feeds on seeds, grains, and small invertebrates found on the ground, which helps in seed dispersal and maintaining the forest floor's diversity and health.
Breeding season varies depending on location, and the bird tends to one or two eggs nested in trees or shrubs. The White-tipped Dove is not a migratory bird but may travel on short trips to find food or escape harsh weather.
The Blue Ground Dove is a bird species in Central and South America. Males have a blue coat, while females have a grey-brown dress. They have a white line outlining their wings, which is a marvel.
This type of dove can be found in lowland forests, secondary forests, and plantations. They also inhabit human spaces such as city parks and gardens. They are monogamous and forage in pairs.
The Ruddy Ground Dove is a bird species found in the Americas, from Mexico to Peru, Brazil, and the Caribbean, that can thrive in different habitats.
Males have a reddish-brown coat, while females have a greyish-brown plumage. They feed on seeds, grains, and small invertebrates and have a soft and rhythmic cooing.
The European Turtle Dove has light grey feathers, a pink blush on its chest, a black and white striped patch on the side of its neck, and a tail with white edging and a black base.
It lives in woodlands, farmlands, and shrublands across Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. During winter, it migrates to the Sahel region in Africa.
The European Turtle Dove feeds on plant seeds and occasionally invertebrates. Unlike other doves, these turtle doves don’t need to tilt their heads back to drink water.
In the greenery of Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands resides a species of bird called the Pink-headed Fruit Dove. The bird has a pink head, neck, and underparts, contrasting with its emerald wings and back. Males have more intense, vivid pink colors than the females.
As arboreal animals, these doves rarely come to the forest floor. They feed on small fruits and berries available in their forest habitat.
Their nests comprise twigs and leaves; they make nests high in the trees to keep their eggs away from predators.
Native to and the national flower of Panama, the Dove or Holy Ghost Orchid produces delicately marbled white flowers that, if you look closely, look like they have a small dove with open wings perched inside. While most orchids can be found growing on or near trees, this type of orchid differentiates itself by growing on ground level, sometimes on rocks. The dove inside the flower is so intricate it looks almost like it’s been carved out of ivory. It is nicknamed the Holy Ghost Orchid because, in the Bible, the Holy Ghost took the form of a dove. This type of orchid is so highly-sought and over-picked that it is classified as endangered in its native country.
