Basic Description
The Inca Dove (Columbina inca) is a small bird species that belongs to the dove family, Columbidae. It is commonly found in the southwestern part of North America and parts of Central America. The bird has a distinctive appearance with its slender body, long tail feathers, and scaly-looking plumage on the neck and breast. The Inca Dove measures about 8 inches in length and weighs only 1-2 ounces.
Where To Find This Bird
Inca Doves are primarily found in arid regions such as deserts or scrublands throughout much of their range, from southern Arizona to northern Argentina. They are common residents in urban areas like parks, gardens, cemeteries or even parking lots where they can forage for food.
Habitat
These birds prefer habitat with sandy soils which allow them to easily create nesting burrows by scratching out shallow depressions under bushes or other vegetation cover. Additionally, Inca Doves require access to water sources such as rivers at least once per day during hot weather conditions when they need to cool down.
Food
Inca doves feed mainly on seeds but may also consume insects depending on availability. Their diet includes weed seeds from various plant species including amaranth and pigweed along with grasses and grains such as millet or wheat seed heads.
Cool Facts
One interesting fact about these birds is that they have a unique courtship display where males walk stiffly around females while puffing up their feathers into an almost spherical shape accompanied by low-pitched cooing sounds. Another fascinating aspect of this species’ behavior is that they exhibit what’s known as “synchronous hatching,” meaning that all eggs laid by one female will hatch within hours of one another, allowing the parent birds to brood and feed all of their young at once.
In conclusion, the Inca dove is a fascinating bird species that is well-adapted to life in arid environments. Its striking appearance, unique behaviors, and ability to survive on limited resources make it an interesting subject for bird enthusiasts and researchers alike.
