Florida is home to a wide variety of bird species, and doves are among the most familiar and easy to spot. Whether you’re walking through a city park or sitting quietly in a backyard, there’s a good chance you’ll hear their soft cooing or see one perched nearby. These gentle birds are more than just background noise—they play a role in Florida’s ecosystem and are fascinating in their own right.
From the common Mourning Dove to the more tropical-looking White-winged Dove, Florida’s warm climate and diverse habitats support several species year-round. Some are native, while others have expanded their range over time. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five doves and pigeons you’re likely to encounter in the state. We’ll cover what they look like, where to find them, and why they matter. Whether you’re a casual observer or a dedicated birder, these birds are worth noticing.
1. Mourning Dove
- Scientific name: Zenaida macroura
- Life span: 2–5 years
- Size: 9–13 in / 23–33 cm
- Weight: 4–6 oz / 112–170 g
- Wingspan: 17–18 in / 43–46
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Present year-round, does not leave Florida.
The Mourning Dove is one of the most widespread and recognizable birds in North America. Found from southern Canada through most of the United States and into parts of Central America, this dove is also common across the entire state of Florida. Its soft, grayish-brown plumage blends easily with open fields, suburban yards, and woodland edges, where it’s often seen perched on fences or telephone wires.
The wings have black spots, and the tail is long and pointed with white edges that flash in flight. One of its most distinctive features is its mournful cooing call, which gives the bird its name and is often heard during calm mornings and evenings. Both sexes look very similar, and their quiet, steady presence adds a familiar, calming rhythm to many landscapes. In flight, they move with strong, direct wingbeats and produce a noticeable whistling sound.
Mourning Doves are surprisingly resourceful nesters, often choosing precarious spots like tree forks, ledges, or even hanging flowerpots. Their nests, though, are little more than a loose pile of sticks—barely a platform. Both male and female share the task of building and incubating, which reflects their deeply cooperative nature. Nesting can happen year-round in Florida’s mild climate, and it’s not uncommon to see multiple broods raised in a single year by the same pair.
The Mourning Dove’s diet is simple but finely tuned for survival. They feed mainly on seeds, which make up more than 95% of their intake. Their favourites include wild grasses, cultivated grains, and even backyard birdseed. They forage mostly on the ground, picking at whatever’s available. Their ability to store seeds in a crop allows them to feed quickly and digest later—an evolutionary advantage that lets them stay alert and minimize exposure to predators.
Once hunted extensively for food and sport, Mourning Doves have seen both declines and rebounds over the decades. Today, they’re one of the most common birds in North America, thanks to adaptable behavior and widespread habitat. Regulated hunting still occurs, but populations remain stable due to careful monitoring and bag limits. Conservationists pay close attention to breeding numbers, ensuring the species thrives despite ongoing pressures from habitat loss and urban sprawl.
2. Rock Pigeon
- Scientific name: Columba livia
- Life span: 3–6 years
- Size: 12–15 in / 31–38 cm
- Weight: 9–13 oz / 260–370 g
- Wingspan: 19–26 in / 48–66 cm
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Year-round resident; stays in Florida permanently.
The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), also known as the common pigeon, is a bird deeply tied to urban life around the world. Originally native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, it was introduced to North America centuries ago and has since become a permanent resident across most of the continent, including Florida.
You’ll often find Rock Pigeons in cities, perched on rooftops, ledges, or under highway overpasses. Their appearance varies greatly—some are a soft bluish-gray with two black wing bars, while others range in color from white to reddish-brown or nearly black. Despite their variation, most show some iridescent green or purple on the neck. Their wings are broad and rounded, and their flight is strong and fast.
Often seen in flocks, they’re a familiar presence in parks and public squares. Their adaptability and connection to human environments have made them a symbol of city life worldwide.
Rock Pigeons tend to nest on human structures—bridges, rooftops, and abandoned buildings offer the flat, protected surfaces they favor. Their original cliff-dwelling instincts still show, but they’ve adapted fully to city life. Both sexes take part in nest-building and incubation, using twigs, trash, and anything else they can find. They often return to the same site for multiple broods, layering new material over old nests until it forms a solid, if untidy, mound.
These birds are classic opportunists when it comes to food. Though originally seed and grain eaters, urban Rock Pigeons now consume an incredibly varied diet—bread crumbs, popcorn, fast food scraps, you name it. In agricultural areas, they still prefer seeds and grains, but cities have reshaped their eating habits entirely. Their digestive system allows for this flexibility, which helps explain why they thrive in places where other species might struggle.
Rock Pigeons have a long, complicated history with humans. Domesticated thousands of years ago, they were once messengers, pets, and a food source. Over time, escapees established wild populations. In Florida, as elsewhere, they’re considered non-native and sometimes a nuisance.
Though not endangered, their populations are managed in urban areas due to overpopulation concerns. Conservation isn’t a priority here, but their cultural history gives them a unique place in the human-bird relationship.
3. Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Scientific name: Streptopelia decaocto
- Life span: 3–5 years
- Size: 11–12 in / 28–31 cm
- Weight: 5–7 oz / 140–200 g
- Wingspan: 17–18 in / 43–46 cm
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Non-migratory; remains in Florida all year.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove is a relatively recent addition to North America’s bird population but has spread quickly across the continent since its introduction. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, it was first reported nesting in Florida in the early 1980s and is now found throughout the United States and even into Canada and Mexico.
In Florida, it’s a common sight in suburban areas, farmlands, and small towns. Its plumage is a soft, pale grayish-beige, with a distinctive black collar-like marking on the back of the neck. The eyes are dark, and the tail is long and squared-off with white edging that’s noticeable in flight.
Compared to the Mourning Dove, it appears a bit bulkier and more upright in posture. Its flight is smooth and direct, often accompanied by a loud, three-part cooing call that’s easy to recognize once you’ve heard it a few times.
These doves are fairly new to Florida, but they’ve adapted quickly to nesting in residential and semi-rural areas. They prefer trees, utility poles, and sometimes building ledges. Their nests are shallow and flimsy, like those of the Mourning Dove, and often reused or built right on top of an old one. Breeding can happen year-round in Florida’s warmth, and pairs often stay together for life, sharing responsibilities evenly during incubation and chick-rearing.
The diet of the Eurasian Collared-Dove is primarily made up of seeds and grains, much like its relatives. Agricultural areas and bird feeders are prime feeding grounds. They’ll also eat berries and small insects when available, but their real staple is cereal grains. Ground foraging is typical, and their calm, non-aggressive feeding style makes them frequent visitors to backyard feeders. Their simple but effective diet helps explain their rapid population growth in North America.
This species only arrived in Florida in the 1980s, having spread from the Bahamas after an accidental release. Since then, it has expanded across most of the continent with remarkable speed. Not native to North America, the Eurasian Collared-Dove is sometimes seen as invasive, though it hasn’t shown major negative effects on native birds. Conservation efforts focus more on monitoring than control, watching for impacts while appreciating their success story as adaptable colonizers.
4. Common Ground-Dove
- Scientific name: Columbina passerina
- Life span: 2–5 years
- Size: 5.9–7.5 in / 15–19 cm
- Weight: 1–1.6 oz / 30–45 g
- Wingspan: 11–12 in / 28–30 cm
- Status: Least concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Stays in Florida year-round, no seasonal migration.
The Common Ground-Dove is one of the smallest doves found in the United States and is especially common throughout Florida’s warm, open habitats. Its range includes much of the southeastern U.S., Central America, and parts of South America.
Unlike other doves that perch on wires or roofs, this species prefers to stay close to the ground, often walking with a soft, bobbing motion through grassy fields, sandy paths, or roadsides. Its plumage is generally light brown or tan with a slightly scaled appearance on the head and chest. When it takes flight, rusty-coloured patches on the wings become visible—an easy way to identify it midair.
The tail is short and rounded, giving it a compact look. Its quiet, low-pitched call is a repetitive “woot-woot-woot” sound that blends in with the background. Despite its small size, it holds its own in Florida’s wide variety of bird habitats.
The Common Ground-Dove prefers dry, open spaces for nesting—often selecting spots near ground level under bushes or in tall grass. Their nests are small, loose constructions made of twigs and stems. What’s notable is their preference for low elevation and concealed locations, a strategy that helps avoid detection by predators. These tiny doves breed multiple times per year in Florida’s warm climate, and the male and female share parenting duties with impressive dedication.
Their diet sticks closely to seeds from grasses and weeds, though they’ll occasionally eat small insects for extra protein. Foraging usually happens on the ground, and their quiet, methodical approach can make them easy to miss. Unlike pigeons that scavenge human food, these doves remain tied to natural sources. Their beaks are well-suited for handling small, hard seeds, and their digestive system is optimized to extract nutrients from even the driest of snacks.
Though widespread across the southern U.S., the Common Ground-Dove has seen a gradual decline in some regions due to habitat loss and urban development. It’s not currently endangered, but biologists are keeping a close eye on populations.
The bird’s small size and low profile make it vulnerable to changes in land use. Conservation efforts focus on preserving open, shrubby habitats where they can continue nesting and feeding undisturbed by heavy human activity.
5. White-winged Dove
- Scientific name: Zenaida asiatica
- Life span: 6–10 years
- Size: 11–12 in / 28–31 cm
- Weight: 4–6 oz / 120–170 g
- Wingspan: 18–22 in / 46–56 cm
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Mostly year-round; some migrate locally or regionally.
The White-winged Dove is a striking and increasingly common species in Florida. Originally more associated with the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, this dove has expanded its range over the past few decades and is now a regular breeder in Florida, particularly in the central and southern parts of the state.
It is best known for the bright white bands on its wings, which are visible both in flight and when perched. The rest of its body is mostly a smooth grayish-brown, and its eyes are ringed with blue skin that stands out in good light. The tail is squared off, and the bird has a noticeably stout body and strong flight.
White-winged Doves are often seen in palm trees, urban gardens, or desert-style landscapes, where they perch quietly or fly between feeding spots. Their distinctive “who-cooks-for-you” call is deep and rhythmic, and often heard in summer.
White-winged Doves prefer to nest in trees or shrubs, often choosing mesquite, palm, or citrus trees in Florida. Their nests are a bit sturdier than those of other doves, though still fairly minimal. They breed multiple times in a season and are especially active during warmer months. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding. In more urbanized areas, they’ve adapted to using ornamental trees and even balconies, showing a growing comfort around humans.
This species has a fondness for seeds and grains, with a special preference for agricultural crops like sorghum and sunflower. They also enjoy fruits and berries, especially those from native plants like prickly pear and elderberry. Their foraging tends to be a mix of ground-level and low-branch feeding, and they’ll flock to backyard feeders stocked with millet or cracked corn. Their varied diet gives them an edge in different environments, both rural and suburban.
Historically found in the Southwest and Mexico, White-winged Doves have expanded their range steadily eastward, including into Florida. This expansion is largely due to climate shifts and human-altered landscapes that mimic their native habitat. Once limited to certain areas, they now thrive across the state.
Conservation efforts have kept pace, especially in places where hunting is regulated. Their numbers are strong, and biologists continue to monitor them as they adapt to changing environments.
Where to look for Doves and Pigeons in Florida
Doves are everywhere in Florida—you just have to slow down and look. These birds are well adapted to many environments, from quiet forests to bustling city streets. To spot them, mornings and evenings are best, when they’re most active.
Bring a pair of binoculars, listen for their soft cooing, and look for open spaces like fields, telephone wires, or the edges of woodlands. Patience helps, but many times, you’ll find they come to you—especially if you’re near bird feeders or open lawns.
If you’re looking for some great places to go dove watching, Florida offers plenty of options:
- Everglades National Park – Open landscapes and wetlands make spotting doves easy here.
- Paynes Prairie Preserve – A hotspot for birders, especially in early morning hours.
- Myakka River State Park – Known for diverse birdlife, including several dove species.
- Lake Kissimmee State Park – Great mix of open fields and wooded areas.
Whether you’re in a city or out in nature, doves are a calm, steady presence across the state. You don’t need to go far—just keep your eyes and ears open. Sometimes, the best sightings happen right in your own backyard.
Conclusion
Doves in Florida offer a fascinating glimpse into how birds adapt, survive, and even thrive in changing landscapes. From the city-dwelling Rock Pigeon to the quietly foraging Common Ground-Dove, each species brings its own rhythm to the state’s diverse habitats. Their nesting behaviors, diets, and histories tell a story of resilience and change, shaped by both nature and human influence.
As Florida continues to grow and shift, these birds remain a familiar presence—sometimes overlooked, but always part of the landscape. Understanding their lives helps us appreciate the quiet beauty of coexistence in our shared environment.
