Zenaida Dove
Zenaida Dove
Zenaida aurita
At a Glance
In the early 1800s Zenaida Doves were documented 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 Dove and White-winged Dove, a Zenaida Dove usually feeds on the ground in brushy or semi-open areas.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Pigeon-like Birds, Pigeons and Doves
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets
Region
Florida
Behavior
Direct Flight
Range & Identification
Description
Sexes similar — Length: 9-11 in (23-28 cm); wingspan: 18-21 in (45-53 cm); weight: 4.2-6.7 oz (120-190 g). The Zenaida Dove is a very rare visitor to Florida. Very similar to Mourning Dove but with shorter, square-tipped tail. White trailing edge on inner part of wing is conspicuous in flight, and shows as white spot on wing when standing.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Brown, Gray, Pink, Purple, Tan, White
Wing Shape
Rounded, Short
Tail Shape
Rounded, Square-tipped
Songs and Calls
Very similar to Mourning dove, but faster and with the first note less modulated.
Call Pattern
Flat
Call Type
Hoot
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