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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CXL
Field-journal plate: Zenaida Dove
The Zenaida Dove plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CXL

Zenaida Dove

Zenaida aurita

Columbidae · Taxon 3465

Length28–30.5 cm
Wingspan36–41 cm
Weight120–180 g

Field marks

  1. Warm cinnamon-brown head and rosy-brown underparts with a gray-brown back
  2. Iridescent violet neck patch and small dark blue-black marks on the face
  3. Several bold black spots on the wing coverts
  4. White outer secondaries forming a pale trailing wing edge
  5. Short, rounded tail with a dark subterminal band and white outer tips
  6. Slim dark bill, large dark eye, and pinkish-red legs

HabitatOpen and semi-open habitats, especially lowland scrub, fields, forest edges, dense vegetation, coastal vegetation, mangroves, farmland, parks, and gardens.

BehaviorDiurnal, mostly resident, and often territorial. Forages mainly on the ground, alone or in pairs, eating seeds, grains, fruit, and occasional small invertebrates. Pairs share incubation and chick care; adults may feign injury to draw predators away from nests.

Palette

cinnamon brownrosy buffslate grayviolet bluewhite