Doves are a widespread bird species found all over the world. There are over 300 different species of doves, with some variations in colors and markings. When it comes to having white on the tip of the tail, there are a few different dove species that fit this description.
Mourning Dove
The most common dove found across North America that has white tail tips is the mourning dove. The scientific name for the mourning dove is Zenaida macroura. Here are some key facts about the mourning dove:
- Has light grey-brown body feathers with a pale pinkish hue on the breast
- Black spots on the wings
- White tips on the outer 3-5 tail feathers
- Medium-sized, between 23-34 cm long
- Makes a distinctive “cooOOoo-woo-woo” sound
The mourning dove is widespread and abundant across the lower 48 US states, Mexico, parts of Canada, and the Caribbean islands. They are a year-round resident species in most of their range. The white tail tips are most visible during flight and can aid with identification.
Habitat and Diet
Mourning doves occupy a wide range of open and semi-open habitats, including farmlands, grasslands, savannahs, woodland edges, suburban areas and desert scrublands. They avoid dense forest. Their diet consists mainly of seeds from grasses, crops and weeds. They also eat snails, insects and berries.
Eurasian Collared Dove
Another dove species where white tail tips can be observed is the Eurasian collared dove. The scientific name is Streptopelia decaocto. Here are some facts about this species:
- Pale grey-buff body
- Black half-collar on upper breast (not always present)
- Reddish-orange feet
- Dark grey beak
- White tip on 2-4 outer tail feathers
The Eurasian collared dove is native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced to parts of North America, the Caribbean and Hawaii. It is slightly smaller than a mourning dove at 25-29 cm long. The tail tips are white during flight. They make a rhythmic three-note “coo…COO…coo” call.
Habitat and Diet
Eurasian collared doves utilize open country with short vegetation, including farmland, parks, gardens and urban areas. They avoid forests and dense scrubland. Their diet consists of seeds, grains, buds, shoots and insects.
White-tipped Dove
The white-tipped dove is native to parts of Mexico, Central and South America. Their scientific name is Leptotila verreauxi. Here are some identification features:
- Grey-brown body
- Dark grey crown and nape
- Broad white trim on end of tail
- Red eyes
- Approximately 30 cm long
This dove has more prominent white on the tail tips compared to a mourning dove or Eurasian collared dove. The white tips are very noticeable in flight. The white-tipped dove has a fast-paced “woo-WOO-woo” call.
Habitat and Diet
The white-tipped dove occupies semi-open wooded areas including forest edges and clearings, plantations and gardens. It avoids deep forest as well as treeless areas. Seeds and fruit make up the bulk of its diet.
White-winged Dove
The white-winged dove is native to the southern parts of North America as well as Central and South America. Its scientific name is Zenaida asiatica. Identification features include:
- Blue-grey head
- Broad white stripe on wing
- Bold white tips on 4-5 outer tail feathers
- Red eyes
- 25-30 cm long
The white wing patches are visible at close range but not during flight. The broad white tail tips are most noticeable when the bird is flying. They have a soft, mournful cooing song. White-winged doves can form very large flocks.
Habitat and Diet
This dove inhabits open and semi-open habitats including desert, brushland, agricultural areas, and suburbs. It avoids extensive forest.Seeds and waste grain are the primary components of its diet.
Ground Dove
Within the genus Columbina, there are six small dove species known as “ground doves” that display white corners on their tail. These include:
- Common ground dove
- Plain-breasted ground dove
- Ruddy ground dove
- Blue-eyed ground dove
- Clarion ground dove
- Maroon-chested ground dove
Some key shared features of these ground doves are:
- Compact, with short legs and short tails
- Plump bodies
- Small size, 15-20 cm long
- Rapid wingbeats and ability to take off vertically
- White tail corners
These species inhabit open and semi-open habitats in the southern parts of North America down through Central and South America. Seeds and grains make up the bulk of their diet.
Summary
In summary, there are a number of dove species that display white tail tips or tail corners, including:
- Mourning dove
- Eurasian collared dove
- White-tipped dove
- White-winged dove
- Ground doves
The mourning dove and Eurasian collared dove are the most widespread and common species with white tail tips that may be observed in North America. The white tail tips are most visible during flight and can aid with identifying these dove species.
Dove Species with White Tail Markings Table
| Dove Species | Scientific Name | Tail Markings | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura | White tips on 3-5 outer tail feathers | North America |
| Eurasian Collared Dove | Streptopelia decaocto | White tips on 2-4 outer tail feathers | Europe, Asia, introduced in North America |
| White-tipped Dove | Leptotila verreauxi | Broad white band at tail tip | Mexico, Central and South America |
| White-winged Dove | Zenaida asiatica | White tips on 4-5 outer tail feathers | Southern North America, Central and South America |
| Ground Doves | Columbina species | White corners on tail | Southern North America to South America |
This table summarizes the scientific names, key tail markings, and geographic ranges of some of the main dove species that display white tail tips or tail corners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while many dove species have uniformly colored tails, several species exhibit white tail markings including the widespread mourning dove and Eurasian collared dove. The white tail tips and corners are most visible during flight and serve as useful identification markers in addition to other physical features. Doves display a range of plumage and vocalizations across the different species. Identifying species based on multiple characteristics allows bird watchers and biologists to recognize the diversity of these elegant birds.
