The first time I really started paying attention to doves in Florida was on a quiet morning walk, when a soft cooing sound followed me from tree to tree. At first, all doves looked the same, but the more time I spent outdoors, the more I realized how incredibly diverse they actually are. Some stay close to city streets and backyard feeders, while others feel like hidden treasures you only find in the quiet corners of marshes, forests, and the Florida Keys.
Exploring Florida’s parks, neighborhoods, and coastal areas, I began to recognize the differences in color, size, behavior, and even their voices. From the familiar Mourning Dove to the rare tropical visitors that occasionally surprise birdwatchers, each dove tells a small part of Florida’s wildlife story.
This list of 12 types of doves in Florida brings together the most common, uncommon, and rare species you may encounter, helping you identify them more easily and appreciate just how special they are.
Contents
Common Types of Doves Found in Florida
Mourning Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Soft brown-gray with black wing spots; pinkish breast tones
• Size: 9–13 inches; wingspan about 17–18 inches
• Bill: Small, black
• Wings/Tail: Long pointed tail with white edges; fast, whistling wings
• Habitat: Suburbs, farms, grasslands, open woodlands
• Status in Florida: Very common year-round resident
Mourning Doves are slim, elegant birds with long pointed tails that make them easy to identify. Their brownish-gray plumage with black wing spots and a gentle pink wash on the chest gives them a soft, peaceful appearance.
They are medium-sized doves but very lightweight, allowing quick and direct flight. When they take off, their wings produce a distinctive whistling sound that is commonly heard in Florida neighborhoods.
Behaviorally, Mourning Doves are calm and often seen feeding on the ground in pairs or small groups. Their soft, sorrowful cooing call is one of the most familiar bird sounds in Florida.
They are found throughout Florida in nearly every type of open habitat. Highly adaptable, they thrive around human settlements and remain present across the state all year long.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Pale gray to beige with clean, smooth plumage
• Size: 12–13 inches; larger and bulkier than Mourning Dove
• Bill: Black, slender
• Wings/Tail: Square tail with broad white edges; strong wings
• Habitat: Cities, suburbs, farms, parking lots, grain areas
• Status in Florida: Widespread and common, non-native resident
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is easily recognized by the black half-collar on the back of its neck, bordered with a thin white edge. Its pale, sandy-gray color and upright posture make it look heavier and cleaner in tone than the Mourning Dove.
It is a large dove with a sturdy build, square tail, and powerful flight. The broad white edges on the tail are especially noticeable when it flies, helping birdwatchers identify it from a distance.
These doves are bold around people and often gather near feeders and open food sources. Their call is a steady three-note coo that sounds deeper and more deliberate than the Mourning Dove’s mournful song.
Originally not native to Florida, the Eurasian Collared-Dove has spread rapidly and is now common across most of the state. It thrives in human-dominated environments, particularly urban and agricultural areas.
Common Ground Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Brownish-gray with subtle scaled pattern on chest
• Size: 5–7 inches; the smallest dove in Florida
• Bill: Black with pink base
• Wings/Tail: Short rounded tail; reddish wing flashes in flight
• Habitat: Sandy areas, fields, scrub, dunes, roadsides
• Status in Florida: Fairly common, especially in warmer regions
The Common Ground Dove is noticeably small and compact, with a short, rounded tail and soft brown-gray coloring. The scaled pattern on its chest and occasional pinkish tone on the underparts help distinguish it from larger doves.
Its tiny size makes it unique among Florida doves, measuring only around 5 to 7 inches long. When it flies, you may see reddish or rusty tones in the wings, a useful identification feature.
This species prefers staying low and often walks away when disturbed rather than flying immediately. Its cooing call is soft and simple, much quieter than other dove species.
Common Ground Doves live in open, sandy, and scrubby habitats throughout much of Florida. They are less urban than other doves but remain fairly widespread, particularly in central and southern regions of the state.
White-winged Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Gray-brown body with blue facial skin and red-orange eyes
• Size: 11–12 inches; large, sturdy dove
• Bill: Dark, medium-length
• Wings/Tail: Bold white wing patches visible in flight and at rest
• Habitat: Urban areas, palm groves, fields, coastal regions
• Status in Florida: Most common in central and southern Florida
The White-winged Dove stands out thanks to its striking white wing patches that are clearly visible even when perched. Its gray-brown body, blue skin around the eye, and vivid reddish eye color make its face especially distinctive.
Similar in size to the Eurasian Collared-Dove, this species is large and strong, with broad wings that create a dramatic white flash in flight. This makes identification easier even from afar.
White-winged Doves are confident birds that often gather in groups, especially near food sources. They feed on seeds, grains, berries, and sometimes nectar, and their call is deep and rhythmic.
In Florida, they are most common in the southern and central regions but continue expanding northward. They adapt well to warm, semi-tropical environments and are often seen in cities, agricultural lands, and coastal habitats.
Rock Pigeon
Identification Overview:
• Color: Typically blue-gray with iridescent green and purple neck; many color variations
• Size: 11–14 inches; chunky and broad-bodied
• Bill: Dark with pale cere
• Wings/Tail: Broad wings, short rounded tail; strong flight
• Habitat: Cities, towns, ports, bridges, buildings
• Status in Florida: Very common urban resident, non-native
Rock Pigeons, often simply called pigeons, are familiar birds across Florida’s urban landscapes. Most have blue-gray plumage with shimmering green and purple on the neck, though many color variations exist, including white, black, and mottled forms.
They are large and chunky with powerful wings and strong, steady flight. When taking off, their wings often make a loud clapping sound, a common city noise.
Rock Pigeons are highly social and usually found in flocks. They comfortably live around people, feeding on seeds, grains, and human food scraps, and are often seen walking confidently across sidewalks and city plazas.
Although not native to Florida, Rock Pigeons are now widespread across the state. They are most abundant in cities, towns, ports, and heavily built environments where structures provide perfect nesting and roosting sites.
White-crowned Pigeon
Identification Overview:
• Color: Dark gray to slate body with contrasting white crown
• Size: 12–14 inches; fairly large pigeon
• Bill: Pale with darker tip
• Wings/Tail: Long wings, broad tail; strong, fast flight
• Habitat: Mangroves, tropical hardwood hammocks, coastal forests
• Status in Florida: Mostly South Florida and Keys; uncommon but local breeder
The White-crowned Pigeon is a distinctive tropical pigeon rarely mistaken for any other Florida dove. Its dark, almost charcoal-gray body sharply contrasts with its bright white crown, creating an elegant and striking look, especially in good light.
This species is fairly large, with strong, long wings built for swift flight across coastal waters. It often looks sleek and smooth, with a sturdy posture when perched high in trees.
Behaviorally, White-crowned Pigeons are cautious and often stay in canopy-level foliage. They feed primarily on fruits and berries, especially from native tropical trees, and may travel significant distances to find food.
In Florida, they are mainly restricted to South Florida, the Florida Keys, and nearby coastal areas. They are considered a specialty species of the region, closely tied to tropical habitats and mangrove ecosystems.
Key West Quail-Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Rich brown body with iridescent green and purple tones
• Size: About 10–11 inches
• Bill: Dark, slender
• Wings/Tail: Rounded wings, short tail; ground-walking behavior
• Habitat: Dense tropical hardwood hammocks
• Status in Florida: Very rare, mostly Florida Keys
The Key West Quail-Dove is a beautifully colored, secretive dove with earthy brown tones that glow with green and purple iridescence in the right light. It has a somewhat chunky body and a subtle face pattern that adds to its unique appearance.
This species is medium-sized with a compact build. Its wings are rounded and its tail is relatively short, giving it a low, grounded look compared to slimmer doves like the Mourning Dove.
Key West Quail-Doves spend much of their time walking quietly on the forest floor. They are shy, easily startled, and often disappear into dense vegetation quickly, making sightings rare and special.
In Florida, they are mainly found in the Keys, and even there, they are extremely scarce. They rely on dense hardwood hammocks, and habitat loss makes them an uncommon and treasured bird for serious birdwatchers.
Ruddy Ground-Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Males reddish-brown; females gray-brown
• Size: 6–7 inches; small dove
• Bill: Small, dark
• Wings/Tail: Short wings, short rounded tail
• Habitat: Open fields, agricultural areas, edges of towns
• Status in Florida: Rare but occasionally seen, mostly South Florida
The Ruddy Ground-Dove is a small, attractive dove with warm reddish tones in males and softer gray-brown coloration in females. Its compact body and gentle coloring make it subtly beautiful rather than bold.
This species is noticeably small, similar in size to the Common Ground Dove but often appearing slightly slimmer. The short wings and tail contribute to its petite, rounded shape.
Ruddy Ground-Doves prefer to stay close to the ground, often walking or feeding in open, lightly vegetated areas. They tend to be calm but can flush quickly when startled.
In Florida, they are considered rare and are usually found in South Florida, sometimes appearing in agricultural regions or grassy open habitats. Sightings are often exciting for birders due to their scarcity.
Zenaida Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Warm brown with pinkish tones and iridescent highlights
• Size: 11–12 inches; similar to Mourning Dove but stockier
• Bill: Dark, slender
• Wings/Tail: Broad wings; tail shorter and squarer than Mourning Dove
• Habitat: Coastal areas, tropical forests, scrub, Keys habitats
• Status in Florida: Rare; mostly South Florida and Keys
The Zenaida Dove looks somewhat similar to a Mourning Dove but has a slightly stockier build and richer brown coloration. Subtle pink and iridescent tones can appear on the neck and chest in good lighting.
It is medium to large in size, roughly comparable to Mourning Doves, though its tail is not as long or pointed. This difference is often a key clue in identification.
Zenaida Doves are generally calm and may be seen walking on the ground or perching in open coastal areas. Their calls are deeper and slightly different than the familiar Mourning Dove coo.
In Florida, they are considered rare and are mostly found in South Florida and the Florida Keys, reflecting their Caribbean origins. They are more common in nearby island regions than on the mainland.
White-tipped Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Soft brown body with pale gray face and pinkish tones
• Size: 10–11 inches; medium-sized dove
• Bill: Dark
• Wings/Tail: Broad wings; tail with pale white edging
• Habitat: Dense woodlands, tropical hammocks
• Status in Florida: Rare, mostly South Florida and Keys
The White-tipped Dove is a gentle-looking dove with soft brown plumage and a subtle pale face. The pinkish wash on the chest can add warmth to its appearance, giving it a refined and somewhat delicate look.
It is medium-sized, similar to other woodland doves, with a slightly rounded body and smooth posture. Its tail shows distinctive pale white edging, which helps separate it from similar species.
This species prefers quiet, shaded environments and often walks slowly on the forest floor. It is typically shy and not often seen in open spaces.
In Florida, the White-tipped Dove is rare and most often encountered in South Florida and the Keys. It is another tropical-associated species whose presence depends heavily on specialized woodland habitats.
Inca Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Light gray with distinct scaly pattern
• Size: 7–9 inches; slim and small
• Bill: Dark, thin
• Wings/Tail: Long, slender tail; reddish wing flashes in flight
• Habitat: Urban areas, open yards, parks
• Status in Florida: Occasional visitor, mostly South Florida
The Inca Dove is easily recognized by its delicate, scaly feather pattern that gives it a finely textured appearance. Its overall gray coloration is lighter and more uniform than many other doves.
It is a small, slender dove with a noticeably long tail compared to its body size. When it flies, reddish tones may be visible in the wings, adding another useful identification feature.
Inca Doves are comfortable around people and often appear in open urban areas, parks, and yards. They commonly feed on the ground and may gather in small groups.
In Florida, they are not very common but do appear occasionally, especially in South Florida. Their presence often surprises birdwatchers as they are more typical of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Ringed Turtle-Dove / African Collared-Dove
Identification Overview:
• Color: Pale creamy-gray with black neck ring
• Size: 11–12 inches; similar to Eurasian Collared-Dove but lighter
• Bill: Dark, slender
• Wings/Tail: Broad wings; square tail with pale edges
• Habitat: Urban areas, parks, residential zones
• Status in Florida: Escapees / domestic-origin birds; scattered presence
The Ringed Turtle-Dove, often called African Collared-Dove, looks similar to the Eurasian Collared-Dove but is typically paler and lighter in tone. The black neck ring stands out clearly against its creamy body.
It is medium to large in size with a sturdy build and square tail. The pale overall appearance is often the key difference from Eurasian Collared-Doves.
These birds usually originate from captivity and occasionally establish small, local populations. They are friendly around human environments and often appear near feeders.
In Florida, they are not considered naturally occurring native birds. Instead, they appear scattered across the state due to escapes or local releases, sometimes mixing with Eurasian Collared-Doves in urban and suburban habitats.
FAQs About Doves in Florida
What types of doves are most common in Florida?
The most common doves in Florida are Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared-Doves, Common Ground Doves, and White-winged Doves. These species are frequently seen in cities, suburbs, farmland, and natural habitats around the state.
Are doves in Florida found all year round?
Yes, most dove species in Florida live there year-round thanks to the warm climate and steady food supply. While some Mourning Doves may migrate slightly, many remain in Florida throughout the year.
Where can you usually see doves in Florida?
Doves are commonly spotted in neighborhoods, parks, open fields, forests, and along coastal areas. They are often seen feeding on the ground or perched on power lines, fences, and trees.
Do doves in Florida migrate?
Most Florida doves do not migrate, especially Eurasian Collared-Doves and Common Ground Doves. Mourning Doves may show partial migration in some regions, but many still stay within the state.
What do doves eat in Florida?
Doves mainly eat seeds, grains, and small fruits. In urban and suburban areas, they often visit backyard bird feeders, where they enjoy millet, cracked corn, and sunflower seeds.
Are any dove species rare in Florida?
Yes, some dove species like the Key West Quail-Dove, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Zenaida Dove, and White-tipped Dove are considered rare or occasional visitors. These are mostly seen in South Florida and the Florida Keys.
Conclusion
After spending time observing doves across Florida, it becomes clear that these birds are more than just quiet background wildlife. Each species has its own character, from the confident Eurasian Collared-Dove to the shy, almost secretive tropical doves that appear only in special places. Whether you are a casual nature lover or a serious birder, spotting these doves can turn an ordinary walk into a memorable moment.
Florida’s warm climate, varied habitats, and rich ecosystems make it one of the best places to see such a wide range of dove species. If you keep your eyes open, listen carefully, and slow down just a little, you’ll start noticing them everywhere.
