Inca dove
Scientific name: Columbina inca
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Small dove with grey-brown upperparts, scaled underparts (giving a scalloped appearance), and a long tail with white spots on the tail feathers. Males and females are similar in plumage; males are marginally larger with slightly more iridescent neck patches.
Size and weight
Adults typically weigh 0.12–0.16 kg; body length averages 20–23 cm. Minimal sexual dimorphism in measurable dimensions.
Habitat
Inca doves inhabit open and semi-open arid regions, scrublands, desert edges, and cultivated areas with scattered trees and shrubs. They favour low-elevation terrain from sea level to approximately 2,000 m, often near human settlements and water sources.
Distribution
Native to the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, southern Texas) south through Mexico and Central America to northwestern Costa Rica. Prefers arid and semi-arid lowlands with access to open ground and scattered cover.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small seeds from grasses, weeds, and cultivated crops, foraging on the ground; will also consume small gravel and grit to aid digestion.
Behaviour
Diurnal and crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. Highly gregarious, often seen in small flocks; moves quickly on foot or in short, rapid flights close to the ground with characteristic whirring wing sounds.
Hunting tips
Look for sign in dust and soft ground near feeding and roosting areas: small tracks, droppings, and dust baths. Approach open terrain early morning or late afternoon when birds are actively foraging; move slowly and use available scrub for concealment. Doves flush explosively when alarmed; anticipate their low, direct flight patterns and respond quickly.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.