Species Name: Inca Dove (Columbina inca)

Length: 8 ¼ inches (21 cm).

Description: A small dove, with a typically small head and long tail. Inconspicuous sandy buff in color, with a pronounced scaly appearance caused by dark edges to feathers. Wings flash bright rufous when raised in display or in flight. Bill dark and small; eye dark orange. Tail shows white edges when spread.

Range: A bird of the southwest and gulf coast, ranging from Louisiana through most of Texas, into New Mexico along the Rio Grande River, southern Arizona, and southern California along the lower Colorado River.

Behavior: Feeds on the ground in urban parks and suburban lawns; roosts and nests in trees and shrubs. Fluffs out feathers for heat preservation. Gives strong call often indicated as "no hope."

Odd Facts: Often forms tightly packed clusters at night to preserve body heat, with some birds standing on birds below.

Related or Similar Species: Has the appearance of a miniature immature Mourning Dove. Closely related to the Common Ground Dove of the southern U.S., and the primarily Mexican Ruddy Ground Dove that occurs in small numbers in AZ and nearby states. Immature Mourning Doves appear scaly, but are larger with a more pronounced beak. Common Ground Doves have finer scaling on the breast and head, but not elsewhere, and have a shorter tail.

Identification: Easy within range - dove shape, scaling, long tail, and size are diagnostic. An immature Mourning Dove seen alone could be confusing but heavier beak is good field mark.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: Within this species' range look for Inca Doves in urban and suburban settings; not in remote wild areas. Look for flocks of sandy buff birds feeding on expanses of grass in parks or on lawns. Inca Doves seem slow and trusting, until you try to get within photographic range. Look for appropriate perches on or near the ground. Use directional side lighting to emphasize the scaly look.

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