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A small and slender dove, the Inca Dove is increasing in suburbia where trees and shrubs are in close proximity to buildings, as well as woodland edges and savannahs. They forage on the ground for seeds and grain and are usually in small groups, sometimes around feeders.
It is easy to recognize, as its feathers create a fish scaled pattern with dark edges. It is the color of desert sand to gray and has reddish or chestnut colored underwings which are noticeable in flight. When they leave the ground, the wings make a quiet, rattling sound.
Though originally a bird of arid regions, it has been expanding into wetter areas and doesn't mind cohabitating with humanity. They can be common to abundant in suitable habitat, and can survive very well in both the heat and cold. They are able to last four to five days without drinking water and fly up to ten miles for it. These birds are quite good at finding water and people used to watch them for that purpose.
Inca Dove
Falcon SP, TX 2017
Nests are usually built in shrubs or trees, and the nests has known to have been quite well used in some areas. They have been known to raise four or five broods.
A fairly new breeding species to Oklahoma over the past couple of decades, it has been in southern areas, as well as far north as the Norman area, and others have reported it as uncommon at the Ouachita NWR.
Like other doves, they build flimsy twig nests and feed the young regurgitated pigeon milk that is naturally produced by breeding adults. The males gathers nest material to stimulate the female to nest, and they defend their breeding areas quite intensely.
During winter, these doves tend to flock and will form communal clusters in a pyramid fashion stacked two or three high that aid in the conservation of heat.
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