Doves are commonly thought of as being white, however their coloration is actually more complex. The color of doves can range from white to grey to brown, depending on the species.
Types of doves and their coloring
There are over 300 species of doves and pigeons, which all belong to the bird family Columbidae. Some of the most common species and their typical coloring include:
- Rock Pigeon – Shades of gray, blue, or white.
- Mourning Dove – Light grey or brownish-grey overall with black spots on the wings.
- Common Ground Dove – Pinkish tan or greyish body with a scaly appearance.
- White-winged Dove – Grey head and upper body with white wings and tail.
- Eurasian Collared Dove – Pale grey-buff body with a black half collar on upper breast.
- Laughing Dove – Pinkish-brown body with a blue-grey crown and neck.
As you can see, some species like the Rock Pigeon and Mourning Dove tend to be more grey or blue-grey. Others like the Common Ground Dove are tan or pinkish. The White-winged Dove is aptly named for its grey and white color pattern.
Why do some doves appear white?
Even though no dove species is purely white, some doves can appear white in certain lighting conditions or from a distance. This is especially true of the Ringneck Dove, which is one of the most commonly kept pet dove species. Ringneck Doves have a pale grey body with a distinctive black collar on the back of the neck. When seen from afar or in bright light, the pale grey can seem white.
Additionally, albino color mutations can occur in any dove species. Albino birds have a lack of melanin pigment, which makes the feathers appear white.
Why are doves often associated with peace and purity?
The white or pale coloration of some dove species has led to them being seen as symbols of peace, love, purity, and blessings in many cultures. For example:
- In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a white dove.
- In ancient Greece and Rome, doves were sacred to the love goddess Aphrodite/Venus.
- White doves are a popular symbol of peace and pacifism.
- Releasing white doves is a tradition at weddings, signifying love.
- Doves appear in folklore and mythology as messengers.
The dove’s gentle nature and monogamous lifelong pairing with its mate also contribute to its symbolic meanings of peace, loyalty, and purity.
Physical adaptations that produce dove plumage colors
The various colors and patterns seen in dove plumage are produced by physical and chemical adaptations in the feathers:
- Melanin – This pigment comes in shades of brown and black. It creates darker areas of plumage.
- Carotenoids – These organic compounds produce red, orange, and yellow hues by selective absorption and reflection of light waves.
- Structural colors – Tiny structures in feathers reflect specific wavelengths of light. This produces iridescent blues, greens, and purples.
- White – Lack of pigment and light scattering through transparent keratin in feathers makes them appear white.
The relative concentration and distribution of these pigments and structures determine the dove’s color patterns. For example, a mostly grey-brown Mourning Dove has high melanin overall, while a Ringneck Dove has higher melanin on the neck and wings but less on the breast and belly.
How melanin concentration affects color
Melanin occurs in two forms in birds – eumelanin which produces black and brown, and phaeomelanin which produces rufous and red-brown shades. Higher concentrations of melanin make feathers appear very dark, while lower concentrations make them lighter grey-brown.
Melanin is produced by special cells called melanocytes within the feather follicles. The number and activity level of melanocytes, determined by genetics and hormones, controls melanin production.
Carotenoid-based red, orange, yellow colors
While melanins are produced within the dove’s body, carotenoids must be obtained from the diet. Sources include berries, seeds, and algae. Carotenoids are often concentrated in the sebaceous gland at the base of feathers.
The types and amounts of carotenoids, as well as the microstructure of feathers, determine the precise hue produced. For example, lutein and zeaxanthin create yellow tones.
Iridescent structural colors
Some dove feathers have nanoscale structures made of melanin and keratin. These structures refract and scatter specific wavelengths of light, producing iridescent blues, greens, and other colors that seem to change hue based on viewing angle.
The shapes, dimensions, and spacing of these structures are what determine the color produced. The structures are genetically programmed to self-assemble during feather growth.
How dove plumage patterns aid survival
The variety of dove plumage colors and patterns are important adaptations that aid survival:
- Camouflage – Cryptic colors and patterns help doves blend into their environment, evading predators.
- Visual communication – Bright patches of color signal a dove’s mood and help it interact with flock mates.
- Thermoregulation – Darker feathers absorb more heat from the sun, while lighter areas reflect heat.
- Mate selection – Bright plumage indicates good health and genes to potential mates.
- Species recognition – Distinct markings help doves quickly identify their own species.
Differences in habitat and lifestyle among the various dove species have led to the evolution of different plumage strategies for optimal survival.
Camouflage and concealment
Doves that nest and feed primarily on the ground, like the Mourning Dove, tend to be earth-toned in greys and browns that blend in with soil and vegetation. Tree-dwelling fruit-eating doves like the Green-winged Pigeon have green and brown plumage that renders them almost invisible in the leafy canopy.
Disruptive color patterns with spots, stripes, or contrasting patches help break up a dove’s body outline. Countershading camouflages the dove’s rounded body against the varied ground and shadows.
Visual communication
Patches of bright or iridescent feathers signal a dove’s mood and movements. For example, a flash of white tail feathers signals alarm and warns flock mates of danger. Iridescent neck feathers catch the light during courtship displays.
Some dove species use plumage patterns for individual recognition. Their brains are able to visually identify specific individuals by memorizing the unique arrangements of markings.
Thermoregulation
The balance between light and dark feathers helps doves maintain body temperature. Darker melanin-rich feathers absorb warmth from sunlight. Lighter bare or thinly feathered patches allow heat dissipation.
This is important for small-bodied doves that can easily overheat. The light breast helps dissipate excess heat, while the darker wings and back soak up warmth when needed.
Sexual dimorphism in dove plumage
While most dove species display little obvious difference between the sexes, some exhibit distinctive sexual dimorphism in their plumage:
| Species | Male Plumage | Female Plumage |
|---|---|---|
| Galapagos Dove | Darker grey-blue overall with an iridescent green-bronze patch on neck. | Duller brownish-grey overall lacking iridescence. |
| Common Emerald Dove | Bright orange-red throat and upper breast. | Paler grey throat and upper breast. |
| Stephan’s Green Pigeon | Purple-maroon plumage on head, neck, and underparts with yellow stripe over the eye.. | Green plumage overall lacking purple tones and eye stripe. |
The more colorful and ornamented male plumage is thought to have evolved through sexual selection. Females preferentially choose males with the brightest plumage as this signifies health, vigor, and good genes.
Hormones and feather growth
The sex hormones testosterone and estrogen play crucial roles in determining sexual dimorphism. Higher testosterone in males ramps up expression of male-specific color genes in the feather follicles.
In some seasonal breeding dove species, male color intensifies prior to the breeding season as testosterone levels peak. Castrated males assume female-like plumage.
Genetic differences
In addition to hormone regulation, scientists have identified key genetic differences between male and female doves inherited on the sex-determining chromosomes. The genes expressed in males produce more elaborate plumage traits.
Interestingly, a genetic study of pigeons found that all males technically have the genetic potential to grow colorful plumage. But this potential is repressed in females by the action of female sex hormones.
Changes in dove plumage over life cycle
Dove plumage undergoes natural changes over the bird’s life cycle:
Juvenile plumage
Young doves grow a simple juvenile plumage while still in the nest. This initial feather covering is typically muted brownish-grey, resembling the female parent. This provides camouflage in the nest.
First basic plumage
After leaving the nest, the dove molts its feathers and replaces them with the standard adult plumage – grey, pink, or tan along with any species-specific markings. However, colors may appear less intense.
First breeding plumage
Approaching sexual maturity, the dove undergoes another molt. Adult males grow their bright breeding colors and elaborate ornamentation at this time.
Eclipse plumage
Following breeding, high testosterone levels drop off in males. This triggers a molt into eclipse plumage – duller feathers resembling females. This conserves energy for survival until conditions improve.
Seasonal regulating molts
Year after year, seasonal hormone cycles prompt male doves to molt back into breeding colors in spring, then into eclipse plumage in late summer. Females also molt seasonally but show less variation.
Senescent fading
In old age, dove plumage often becomes faded and frayed. Melanin and carotenoid levels may decrease. The energy investment into regrowing flashy feathers also declines.
Albinism and leucism in doves
While uncommon, genetic conditions resulting in a lack of typical dove pigmentation occasionally occur:
Albinism
Albino birds have a total lack of melanin production, resulting in white feathers throughout. Albinism stems from inherited mutations that disable melanin synthesis pathways.
Pure albino doves have pink eyes, feet, and skin due to blood vessels showing through. Their vision is often impaired.
Leucism
Leucistic birds show patchy loss of pigmentation. Unlike albino birds, leucistic birds may retain some melanin in eyes and skin, so are not pure white throughout the body.
Leucism is caused by irregularities in pigment cell migration and distribution during development.
Selective breeding by humans
Humans have selectively bred albino and leucistic dove varieties such as the recessive red-eyed White Dove. Intentional inbreeding concentrates the mutation genes.
However, such artificial selection often propagates unhealthy traits. The immune systems of these overly pale doves are compromised.
Mimicry of doves by other species
Some unrelated bird species have evolved dove-like plumage. By mimicking harmless doves, they gain protective benefits:
| Mimic Species | Dove Mimicked | Type of Mimicry |
|---|---|---|
| Zitting Cisticola | Peaceful Dove | Batesian mimicry – copies color pattern of harmless model to appear non-threatening. |
| Pin-tailed Whydah | Ringneck Dove | Brood parasitic mimicry – female mimics host dove color so her eggs are less likely to be rejected. |
| Asian Emerald Cuckoo | Green-winged Pigeon | Aggressive mimicry – resembles harmless model then suddenly attacks other birds. |
In these examples, the mimics gain protection, easier access to host nests, or the element of surprise against prey due to their resemblance to doves.
Batesian mimicry
Batesian mimics copy the color patterns of harmless model species that predators and other birds have learned to avoid hassling. This allows the mimic to blend in safely.
The Zitting Cisticola is a small warbler that mimics the coloration of the Peaceful Dove to appear innocuous.
Brood parasitic mimicry
Brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of other species. Often the parasitic females evolve plumage mimicking their chosen host species.
This helps the parasites sneak past host nest defenses. Their eggs also have a better chance of acceptance if they resemble the host’s own eggs.
Aggressive mimicry
Some predatory birds resemble harmless species as a way to catch prey off guard. By appearing non-threatening, they can lure in unsuspecting birds to attack.
The Asian Emerald Cuckoo tricks other birds by mimicking the Green-winged Pigeon before suddenly attacking.
Conclusion
While often associated with purity and peace, doves actually display a diverse array of plumage colors and patterns in shades of white, grey, brown, tan, and even iridescent reds and greens. Their plumage is an important adaptation impacting thermorgulation, camouflage, communication, and reproductive success. Dove colors vary between species, sexes, seasons, and throughout their lifecycle. While visually beautiful, the varied palette of dove plumages serves crucial roles in the birds’ survival.
