California is dwelling to extra than simply seagulls and hawks—its skies, forests, deserts, and cities are shared by a exceptional number of pigeons and doves. Whereas some species just like the Rock Pigeon are frequent fixtures in city life, others just like the Band-tailed Pigeon hang-out forest canopies removed from human eyes. From tiny ground-dwellers within the desert to daring invaders from abroad, these birds belong to the order Columbiformes and supply stunning range in conduct, look, and ecology. This information introduces all 13 pigeon and dove species recorded in California, together with each residents and uncommon vagrants, by way of the lens of their distribution, conservation standing, visible traits, and distinctive calls.
Contents
- 1.Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
- 2. Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)
- 3. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
- 4. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
- 5. White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
- 6. Frequent Floor Dove (Columbina passerina)
- 7. Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
- 8. Noticed Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)
- 9. Ruddy Floor Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
- 10. African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea)
- 11. Ringed Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia risoria)
- 12. Crimson-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris)
- 13. Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) – Extinct
- Conclusion
1.Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
Distribution in California
The Rock Pigeon is widespread throughout city, suburban, and agricultural areas all through California. It thrives in main cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, nesting on buildings, bridges, and ledges. It additionally gathers in giant numbers round grain silos and farms within the Central Valley. Not often present in pure or forested habitats.
Conservation Standing
Launched and non-native. Rock Pigeons are not protected beneath state or federal legislation. Populations are secure to overabundant and infrequently thought-about city pests.
Identification
A stocky chicken with variable plumage. Most have grey our bodies, iridescent inexperienced and purple neck feathers, black wing bars, and orange-red eyes. City populations present a variety of colour morphs together with white, brown, and speckled.
Sound
Tender, rhythmic cooing: “coo-oo, coo, coo”, generally heard in metropolis settings. Their wings produce a pointy clapping or whirring sound when chickening out, particularly in enclosed areas.
2. Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata)
Distribution in California
This native pigeon is present in California’s coastal ranges, Sierra Nevada, and foothill forests, particularly in oak woodlands and moist conifer forests. It’s extra frequent at increased elevations throughout summer season and should transfer to decrease areas in winter.
Conservation Standing
Categorized as a California Species of Particular Concern. As soon as widespread, its numbers have declined as a result of habitat loss and diminished entry to mineral springs, that are important for its weight loss program.
Identification
A big, smooth pigeon with smooth grey plumage, a white crescent on the nape, yellow invoice with black tip, and a broad tail with a pale terminal band. Extra elegant in form than metropolis pigeons.
Sound
A deep, low “whooo-uh, whooo” hoot, typically mistaken for an owl. Calls are often heard from treetops and will be onerous to detect.
3. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Distribution in California
The Mourning Dove is among the most widespread and quite a few birds throughout California. It thrives in deserts, grasslands, agricultural fields, suburban gardens, and even dense city areas. From coastal areas to inland valleys, it’s a frequent year-round resident all through the state.
Conservation Standing
Listed as Least Concern, with a secure and plentiful inhabitants. Its adaptability to human-modified landscapes and prolific breeding make it one in all North America’s most profitable dove species.
Identification
A slender dove with smooth brown plumage, a lengthy, pointed tail with white edges, and distinct black spots on the wings. Its swift, straight flight and streamlined physique distinguish it from different pigeons and doves.
Sound
Recognized for its mournful, flute-like cooing, sometimes rendered as: “coo-OOO-ooo, ooo, ooo.” This iconic sound is commonly heard throughout early mornings and is among the most recognizable chicken calls in North America.
4. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Distribution in California
Because the early 2000s, the Eurasian Collared-Dove has quickly expanded its vary throughout California. It’s now frequent in Central Valley cities, Southern California suburbs, agricultural zones, and even some foothill communities. Its success is linked to chicken feeders, open landscapes, and concrete progress.
Conservation Standing
An launched and naturalized species. It’s not protected beneath state or federal legislation and isn’t actively managed, although biologists monitor its unfold as a result of its potential affect on native doves.
Identification
A pale grey dove with a distinct black half-collar on the again of the neck, darkish eyes, and a square-tipped tail. It’s noticeably bigger and bulkier than the Mourning Dove, with slower, extra deliberate wingbeats.
Sound
A loud, rhythmic “coo-COO-coo”, sometimes repeated in teams of three. Its name is deeper and extra mechanical than these of native species, and infrequently heard from rooftops, utility poles, or uncovered branches.
5. White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
Distribution in California
The White-winged Dove is primarily present in southeastern California, particularly alongside the decrease Colorado River, the Imperial Valley, and desert cities. It additionally happens sometimes in San Diego County and the Coachella Valley, with a sluggish however regular enlargement northward as a result of city landscaping and citrus farming.
Conservation Standing
Thought-about safe inside California, although its vary is geographically restricted. Populations stay secure and are anticipated to develop as appropriate habitat and meals sources enhance in desert communities and irrigated areas.
Identification
A medium-sized dove with gray-brown plumage, putting white wing patches, and red-orange eyes. In flight, the daring white wing edges are extremely seen, giving the chicken a particular look in comparison with native doves.
Sound
Its name is a rhythmic, owl-like hooting phrase that seems like “who-cooks-for-you?”, typically repeated from uncovered perches throughout the breeding season. The sound carries effectively in desert habitats.
6. Frequent Floor Dove (Columbina passerina)
Distribution in California
The Frequent Floor Dove is restricted to southeastern California, particularly in desert scrublands alongside the decrease Colorado River Valley and southern San Diego County. It prefers dry, open habitats with scattered shrubs and sandy soils, typically close to mesquite, creosote, or agricultural edges.
Conservation Standing
An unusual resident with a secure however restricted inhabitants. It’s delicate to habitat disturbance, particularly from improvement, grazing, and invasive crops in arid ecosystems.
Identification
California’s smallest dove, barely bigger than a sparrow. It has brownish-gray plumage, a scaly look on the chest, a quick, square-tipped tail, and a compact, rounded physique. Its wings present a reddish flash in flight.
Sound
Its name is a smooth, mechanical “coo-coo-coo”, delivered at a flat pitch. The sound is quiet and infrequently ignored except you’re close by in a quiet desert setting.
7. Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
Distribution in California
The Inca Dove is an unusual and localized species in Southern California, notably close to the Mexican border. It’s most often noticed in Imperial and San Diego Counties, typically round residential neighborhoods, parks, and concrete gardens. Its vary is slowly increasing as a result of local weather adaptation and human improvement.
Conservation Standing
This species is not thought-about in danger, although it stays unusual and patchily distributed. It’s a comparatively latest arrival to California and is intently monitored by birders because it pushes additional north into the southwestern U.S.
Identification
A small dove with pale grayish-brown plumage, marked by darkish feather edges that give a particular scaly look. It has a lengthy, slender tail and exhibits rusty-red underwings in flight. Its measurement and distinctive sample make it straightforward to separate from different doves.
Sound
Well-known for its mournful, drawn-out name that seems like “no-hope”, slowly repeated from low rooftops or uncovered perches. This haunting vocalization is most frequently heard throughout early mornings in heat suburban areas.
8. Noticed Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)
Distribution in California
The Noticed Dove was as soon as frequent in city Southern California, notably in Los Angeles, Orange County, and surrounding suburbs. Nonetheless, it has grow to be more and more uncommon in latest many years, with most sightings now restricted to older residential neighborhoods and metropolis parks.
Conservation Standing
An launched species in California, the Noticed Dove is now in sharp decline, probably as a result of competitors from the quickly increasing Eurasian Collared-Dove. It’s not protected and should quickly disappear fully from the state with out intervention.
Identification
A big, soft-colored dove with heat brown plumage, a distinctive white-spotted black patch on the perimeters of the neck, and a lengthy, graduated tail. Its calm demeanor and stylish look as soon as made it a well-known sight in gardens and patios.
Sound
Its track is a collection of effervescent, mellow coos that rise and fall gently: “coo-coo-croo-croo.” The tone is softer and extra musical than that of Eurasian Collared-Doves and is commonly heard from rooftops or fence posts throughout quiet mornings.
9. Ruddy Floor Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
Distribution in California
The Ruddy Floor Dove is a uncommon vagrant in California, sometimes noticed in southern desert areas, particularly the Imperial Valley and areas close to the Mexican border. Most sightings happen throughout late fall or winter, typically following climate occasions that push tropical species northward.
Conservation Standing
This species is not established in California and is taken into account a tropical stray. It has no breeding inhabitants within the state and is monitored primarily by birders and regional uncommon chicken committees.
Identification
A small, compact dove with rounded wings and a quick tail. Males are reddish-brown, whereas females are paler with refined scaling. In flight, their fluttery, low-level movement resembles different floor doves however with barely richer tones.
Sound
A fast, flat-pitched “coo-coo-coo” repeated in a gentle rhythm. The tone is higher-pitched and thinner than the Frequent Floor Dove, and infrequently heard in low vegetation or on the bottom in open habitats.
10. African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea)
Distribution in California
The African Collared-Dove is a uncommon escapee in California, sometimes seen close to aviaries, suburban neighborhoods, or areas the place doves have been launched. It’s not thought-about a naturally occurring species within the wild and doesn’t have a longtime inhabitants within the state.
Conservation Standing
This chicken is a feral descendant of domesticated doves, typically confused with the Eurasian Collared-Dove. It’s not protected or monitored by wildlife companies in California and is often famous solely in native birding data.
Identification
Barely smaller and paler than the Eurasian Collared-Dove, with a slim black collar on the nape and gentle grey to pinkish plumage. It seems extra delicate and infrequently displays a gentler, much less cautious conduct than really wild doves.
Sound
Its vocalizations are almost indistinguishable from the Eurasian Collared-Dove’s acquainted “coo-COO-coo”, although calls are much less frequent and quieter within the wild, probably as a result of its home origins.
11. Ringed Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia risoria)
Distribution in California
The Ringed Turtle-Dove is a domesticated species sometimes seen within the wild as an escapee. Sightings sometimes happen in city neighborhoods, particularly close to pet shops, yard aviaries, or areas the place ceremonial releases happen. It doesn’t survive lengthy within the wild and is not a naturally occurring chicken in California’s ecosystems.
Conservation Standing
Not protected or acknowledged as a wild species. This dove is a totally domesticated type of African Collared-Dove, with no breeding populations within the wild. It’s not tracked by conservation companies and is taken into account non-native and non-establishing.
Identification
A small, pale dove with pinkish-gray or creamy plumage, a skinny black collar on the nape, and darkish eyes. Its look intently resembles the African Collared-Dove, although it tends to look tamer and extra delicate as a result of its home breeding.
Sound
Tender, light cooing phrases that resemble the Eurasian Collared-Dove’s calls, however are quieter, slower, and extra musical in tone. Most vocalizations happen when the chicken is calm or close to acquainted environment.
12. Crimson-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris)
Distribution in California
The Crimson-billed Pigeon is a uncommon vagrant in California, sometimes showing within the southernmost elements of the state, similar to San Diego County or desert oases close to the Mexican border. Most sightings happen in late summer season, typically following tropical climate programs or throughout seasonal actions from its native vary in Mexico and Central America.
Conservation Standing
This species is not established in California and is taken into account a informal customer. It’s tracked by birders and native uncommon chicken committees, however not protected or managed as an everyday a part of the state’s avifauna.
Identification
A giant, heavy-bodied pigeon with wealthy reddish-purple plumage, particularly on the pinnacle and chest. It has a distinctive purple invoice with a yellow tip, darkish wings, and purple eyes. Its measurement and deep coloration distinguish it from different pigeons within the area.
Sound
The vocalization is a low, booming “who-who-who” name, typically delivered slowly from excessive perches. Whereas frequent in its native tropical forests, its voice is hardly ever heard in California as a result of its restricted and rare presence.
13. Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) – Extinct
Distribution in California
The Passenger Pigeon was hardly ever noticed in California, with solely scattered historic data suggesting it handed by way of in small numbers throughout migration. Most of its huge migratory vary was concentrated east of the Rocky Mountains, making sightings west of the Rockies—together with in California—unusual and incidental.
Conservation Standing
This species was formally declared extinct in 1914, following the dying of the final identified particular person, “Martha,” on the Cincinnati Zoo. As soon as the most plentiful chicken in North America, with populations within the billions, it was pushed to extinction by intense business searching, habitat loss, and the collapse of large breeding colonies.
Identification
A medium-sized pigeon with lengthy, tapered wings and tail, bluish-gray upperparts, and a rosy breast. Males had a extra vivid colour sample than females. Its streamlined physique and swift flight made it visibly distinct from fashionable city pigeons. The final confirmed wild people have been seen within the early 1900s.
Sound
Passenger Pigeons have been identified to supply smooth coos and loud wing whistles in flight when shifting in large flocks. Sadly, no audio recordings exist, however written accounts describe the sound of their passing flocks as thunderous and overwhelming, typically darkening the sky for hours.
Conclusion
Pigeons and doves are extra than simply park dwellers—they’re a various and complicated a part of California’s avian neighborhood. Some, just like the Band-tailed Pigeon, characterize fragile remnants of untamed forest ecosystems. Others, just like the Eurasian Collared-Dove, are newcomers quickly reshaping chicken communities throughout cities and fields. After which there are the vagrants and extinct ghosts of the previous, just like the Crimson-billed and Passenger Pigeons, whose presence reminds us of nature’s dynamism and fragility. Whether or not in cities, deserts, or mountains, California’s pigeons supply magnificence, subtlety, and a captivating glimpse into the state’s evolving biodiversity.
