Inca Dove
Columbina inca
Also known as: Aztec Dove
About This Species
A small, pale, long-tailed dove common in arid scrub, farmland edges and residential areas across the southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America, often seen walking on open ground or perched on wires. Its soft, mournful two-note call is a familiar background sound in its range, and it frequently visits bird feeders and bare dusty patches to forage or bathe. It can be seen year-round where present, though early morning in warmer months is typically the most active feeding period.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This is a common, tolerant species often found close to human habitation, and normal caution around any feeding or resting bird is sufficient without special measures.
- In the United States it falls under Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections, meaning nests and eggs must not be disturbed or collected.
- Avoid disturbing feeder areas or nesting shrubs during breeding season, as repeated flushing can cause birds to abandon a nest even when the species itself is in no danger of population decline.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
907,203 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
(c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.