Audubon

Guide to North American Birds

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Photo: Doug Wechsler/Vireo

Zenaida Dove

Zenaida aurita

When Audubon explored Florida in the 1830s, he apparently found Zenaida Doves nesting on the Florida Keys. Today the species is only a very rare visitor to Florida from the islands of the Caribbean. Like its relatives, the Mourning and White-winged doves, it usually feeds on the ground in brushy or semi-open areas.
Family Pigeons and Doves
When Audubon explored Florida in the 1830s, he apparently found Zenaida Doves nesting on the Florida Keys. Today the species is only a very rare visitor to Florida from the islands of the Caribbean. Like its relatives, the Mourning and White-winged doves, it usually feeds on the ground in brushy or semi-open areas.
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Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
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Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds

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Songs and Calls
Very similar to Mourning dove, but faster and with the first note less modulated.
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
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Bald Eagle. Photo: Don Berman/Audubon Photography Awards

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