Bird Gallery Index

Inca Dove image © Alan Murphy

Family: (Columbidae) Pigeons and Doves

Preferred Habitat: Suburban yards and fields.

Seasonal Occurrence: Common permanent resident.

Notes: Inca Doves have been expanding their range northward from Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. They are now common in Houston's backyards. Smaller than Mourning Doves, Inca Doves are distinguished by the scaly appearance of their feathers. In flight, they display bright copper wing patches, unlike the white ones of Mourning Doves. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology sponsors Dove Detectives, a study-watch of urban doves and pigeons. This site has much more information about Inca and other doves. The Houston Bird Survey on the Houston Audubon web site has more information and a distribution map.
- Susan Billetdeaux