Zenaida Dove
Zenaida aurita
Also known as: Mountain Dove, Touterelle, Turtle Dove, Pea Dove, Wood Dove
About This Species
A dove of open woodland, scrub and coastal habitats across the Caribbean and parts of Central America, foraging on the ground for seeds and fallen fruit, often in pairs or small groups. It is most active in early morning and late afternoon, and its soft, mournful cooing call is frequently the first clue to its presence in dense cover.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Stay several metres back and approach slowly, as these doves are easily flushed from open ground feeding areas.
- Hunting and protection regulations differ across the islands and countries within its range, so check local rules rather than assuming a uniform standard, and avoid lingering near any nest, which is a fragile platform easily disturbed by close observation.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
175,133 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
(c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Donald Davesne
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.