Caribbean Dove

Leptotila jamaicensis

Doves and Pigeons · Columbiformes · Rare

The Caribbean Dove (Leptotila jamaicensis) is a rare doves and pigeon found in 8 countries, weighing about 165 g. The Caribbean dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae.

Least ConcernRareEats seedsshrublandplatform nest165 g

About the Caribbean Dove

The Caribbean dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Belize, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico. It has been introduced to the Bahamas.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The Caribbean dove is 29 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in) long and weighs 117 to 190 g (4.1 to 6.7 oz). The adult male of the nominate subspecies has a white forehead, face, and throat; a gray hindcrown; and an iridescent purple nape. The mantle and the sides of the neck are rosy red with an iridescent green and/or purple gloss. The entire underparts are white. The upperparts are olive-brown with a white band showing in front of the folded wing. The tail's inner feathers are grayish brown and the outer ones black with white tips. Voice: The Caribbean dove's song is "a rather rhythmic series of four mournful monotonous notes, with emphasis on the last one 'wo-o-o-oooooo'."

What the Caribbean Dove sounds like

Recording: Oliver Komar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Caribbean Dove?
The Caribbean dove is 29 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in) long and weighs 117 to 190 g (4.1 to 6.7 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Caribbean Dove?
The Caribbean Dove is a medium sized bird weighing about 165 g.
Where can you see a Caribbean Dove?
The Caribbean Dove occurs in 8 countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Belize.
What does a Caribbean Dove sound like?
You can listen to a field recording of the Caribbean Dove on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Caribbean Dove?
The Caribbean Dove is most easily confused with the Pallid Dove, the Yungas Dove and the Tolima Dove.
Is the Caribbean Dove endangered?
The Caribbean Dove is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Caribbean Dove for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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