5 Doves (& Pigeons) That Live In Louisiana!

Doves and pigeons (which is what larger doves are typically called) are stocky birds characterized by short necks, short slender bills, and a diet that is heavy on seeds. Due to their apparent peaceful nature, they are popular birds and a common visitor to backyards!

Today, you will learn about 5 types of doves that live in Louisiana!

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For each species, I provide some fun facts along with how to identify them by sight OR sound. Make sure to pay attention to the range maps to see which doves live near you!

The 5 Species of Doves That Live in Louisiana:

#1. Mourning Dove

Identifying Characteristics:

• A mostly grayish dove with large black spots on the wings and a long thin tail.
• Look for pinkish legs, a black bill, and a distinctive blue eye-ring.
• Males and females look the same.

Mourning Dove Range Map

This species is the most common and familiar dove in Louisiana.

Look for them perched high up in trees or on a telephone wire near your home. They are also commonly seen on the ground, which is where they do most of their feeding.

Mourning Doves are common visitors to bird feeding stations!

To attract them, try putting out their favorite foods, which include millet, shelled sunflower seeds, Nyjer seeds, cracked corn, and safflower seeds. Mourning Doves need a flat place to feed, so the best feeders for them are trays or platforms. To be honest, they probably are most comfortable feeding on the ground, so make sure to throw a bunch of food there too.

• RELATED: The 16 Best Bird Feeders In MY Backyard! (UPDATED)

Mourning Doves are prolific breeders! It’s common for females to have 3 to 6 broods each breeding season. The young only stay in the nest for a maximum of 15 days, but they stay nearby to be fed by their parents for roughly another week. Many people mistakenly think these young doves have fallen out of the nest since they can barely fly, and have no idea that the parents are nearby and still providing food for the hatchling.

It’s common to hear Mourning Doves in Louisiana.

Listen for a low “ coo-ah, coo, coo, coo .” In fact, this mournful sound is how the dove got its name! Many people commonly mistake this sound for an owl. (Press PLAY below!)

#2. Rock Pigeon

Identifying Characteristics:

• A plump bird with a small head, short legs, and a thin bill.
• The typical pigeon has a gray back, a blue-grey head, and two black wing bars. But their plumage is highly variable, and it’s common to see varieties ranging from all-white to rusty-brown.

Rock Pigeon Range Map

Rock Pigeons are extremely common doves in Louisiana, but they are almost exclusively found in urban areas. These birds are what everyone refers to as a “pigeon.” You have probably seen them gathering in huge flocks in city parks, hoping to get tossed some birdseed or leftover food.

Pigeons are easily attracted to bird feeders, especially if there is leftover food lying on the ground. Unfortunately, these birds can become a bit of a nuisance if they visit your backyard in high numbers. Many people find their presence overwhelming and look for ways to keep them away!

• RELATED: 8 Ways to Get Rid of Pigeons From Your House & Bird Feeders!

These birds are easy to identify by sound. My guess is that you will already recognize their soft, throaty coos. (Press PLAY below)

Love them or hate them, Rock Pigeons have been associated with humans for a long time! Some Egyptian hieroglyphics suggest that people started domesticating them over 5,000 years ago. And because of these facts, scientists aren’t even sure where their original range was.

#3. Eurasian Collared-Dove

Identifying Characteristics:

• A mostly sandy brown bird with a long, square-tipped tail.
• As the name suggests, look for a black collar on the back of the neck.

Eurasian Collared-Dove Range Map

Eurasian Collared-Doves are invasive to Louisiana.

Unfortunately, somebody introduced them to the Bahamas in the 1970s, and since then, they have rapidly spread. In fact, their population is still spreading!

One of the reasons that these doves colonized here so quickly is due to their comfort level with humans . They have thrived being around bird feeders and in urban and suburban areas. It’s common to see them on the ground or platform feeders eating grains and seeds.

• RELATED: Bird Seed 101: The 10 Best Types For Wild Birds!

Listen for a “koo-KOO-kook” song, which is given by both sexes. The middle syllable is longer than the first and last one. Males sing louder when defending their territory or searching for a mate.

How do you tell them apart from Mourning Doves?

At first glance, Eurasian Collared-Doves look very similar to Mourning Doves. Here’s how to tell them apart:

• Mourning Doves are smaller and have black dots on their wings.
• Eurasian Collared-Doves are larger and have a black crescent around their neck.

#4. White-winged Dove

Identifying Characteristics:

• A pale grayish-brown dove with a white stripe on the edge of the wing.
• Short, square-tipped tail.
• Distinctive black mark on their cheek.

White-winged Dove Range Map

White-winged Doves have adapted well to the presence of humans, and they are commonly found in cities and backyards in Louisiana. They readily visit bird feeding stations that offer sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, milo, and cracked corn.

Like other dove species, White-winged Doves have a few interesting abilities:

• When nestlings are born, the parents feed them something known as “crop milk.” This secretion is regurgitated from the lining of the esophagus.
• Pigeons and doves can drink water while their head is down. They don’t need to look skyward to swallow, which is rare among birds.

Males sing to attract females and make a series of hooting coos, which sounds like they are saying, “who cooks for you. ” Many times, the final coo is longer than the rest.

#5. Common Ground Dove

Identifying Characteristics:

• These doves are small, being only slightly larger than a sparrow!
• They have a plain grey-brown back. Underparts have a pinkish tint to them.
• Small head with a scaled pattern on their breast and neck. Dark spots on the wings.

Common Ground Dove Range Map

Common Ground Doves are typically easy to find in Louisiana. Look for them feeding on the ground beneath bird feeders, cleaning up the grains and other seeds that fall from above.

These doves primarily nest on the ground! Simple nests are built lined with a few types of grass, weeds, and other plant matter. Being on the ground, they can make an easy meal for many different predators. Their primary defense is to blend into their surroundings or hiding in thick vegetation.

Common Ground Doves are relatively vocal. They can be heard at all times of the day at any time in the year. Listen for a repeated, soft, high-pitched coo, with a rising inflection.

Which of these doves have you seen before in Louisiana?

Leave a comment below!

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The range maps above were generously shared with permission from The Birds of The World, published by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I use their site OFTEN to learn new information about birds!