Photo courtesy Pete Williams, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Copyright (c) 2007 Pete Williams

Identification: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web. This is a small, brownish-gray dove with a scaly appearance due to dark feather tips. It is buffy on the underside and has a long rounded tail with white outer tail feathers. Legs and feet are pinkish gray and the beak goes from gray to black coming out from the face. In flight, rusty red wing feathers are obvious. It is very similar to the ground dove, but the ground dove lacks the overall scaly appearance and has a square tail. Males and females very similar, as are juvenile and adult., except the adult iris is dark red and the juvenile iris is pale yellow. It has been noted that Columbina inca may be darker in southern areas.

The Inca dove is found in the southwestern United States and in northern Central America. However, its range has been expanding both north and south primarily due to its association with human dwellings.

The bird inhabits residential areas (cities, towns, farmhouses, lawns, parks, etc.), thornforests, and savannas. It is usually restricted to arid and semi-arid regions due to its low tolerance for cold.

NOTE: The Inca Dove is not yet known to the Escambia region. The above image is displayed in hopes that any sightings in this area will be promptly reported to either Darryl Searcy of Alabama, or Pete Williams of Florida.