Eared Dove
Zenaida auriculata
The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) is a common doves and pigeon found in 25 countries, weighing about 110 g. The eared dove is a New World dove.
About the Eared Dove
The eared dove is a New World dove. It is a resident breeder throughout South America from Colombia to southern Argentina and Chile, and on the offshore islands from the Grenadines southwards. It may be a relatively recent colonist of Tobago and Trinidad. It appears to be partially migratory, its movements driven by food supplies.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The eared dove is 24 cm (9.4 in) long with a long, wedge-shaped tail, and weighs normally about 112 g (4.0 oz). Adult males have mainly olive-brown upperpart plumage, with black spots on the wings. The head has a grey crown, black line behind the eye, and the blue-black on the lower ear coverts. These black markings give the species its English and specific names. The underparts are vinous, and the tail is tipped with cinnamon. The bill is black and the legs dark red. The female is duller than the male, and immature birds are greyish-brown, very dull, with pale barring.
What the Eared Dove sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Panama.
When to see it
The Eared Dove can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Eared Dove?
- The eared dove is 24 cm (9.4 in) long with a long, wedge-shaped tail, and weighs normally about 112 g (4.0 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Eared Dove?
- The Eared Dove is a medium sized bird weighing about 110 g.
- Where can you see an Eared Dove?
- The Eared Dove occurs in 25 countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Peru.
- What does an Eared Dove sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Eared Dove on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Eared Dove?
- The Eared Dove is most easily confused with the Zenaida Dove, the West Peruvian Dove and the Galapagos Dove.
- Is the Eared Dove endangered?
- The Eared Dove is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Eared 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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