AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Columbina inca
Inca Dove
(Lesson, 1847)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
The Inca Dove (Columbina inca) is a tiny, unmistakable dove due to its delicate, scaly-looking plumage. It has a slender body covered in feathers ranging from light grayish-brown to pale beige, where each feather is edged with a fine dark line, giving it a distinct scalloped (scale-like) pattern all over its body. Its tail stands out, being unusually long and narrow for a small dove, showing white outer feathers. When taking flight, it reveals a dazzling, intense rufous-chestnut color under the wings and on the primary feathers. It is a highly docile bird, a fast walker, and has successfully colonized human settlements.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Columbiformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Columbidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Columbina
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Lesson, 1847)
Record Completeness
95%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Increasing
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It is a specialist of dry, open areas that are heavily disturbed by human activity. It completely avoids dense and primary forests. It thrives in savannas, thorny scrub, pastures, agricultural areas, and is a truly urban bird that dominates parks, squares, gardens, and streets in cities and towns. In Costa Rica, it is exceedingly abundant in the warm, dry region of Guanacaste and in the Central Valley (Greater Metropolitan Area).BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a bird of diurnal, highly social, and walking habits. It forages on open ground, walking rapidly with short steps and rhythmically nodding its head, in the same way as city pigeons but on a miniature scale. When faced with danger, the birds in a flock usually explode together into the air towards nearby trees. In the scorching midday heat, they often rest on the ground exposing one wing to the sun to aid in thermoregulation and feather maintenance.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Highly gregarious. Rarely seen alone; they commonly travel in pairs, but outside the breeding season, they congregate in noisy flocks that can range from 10 to 50 individuals foraging or resting together.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Herbivore / Ground granivore.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Primary consumer (Granivore). It feeds almost exclusively on small seeds (from wild herbs, weeds, and grasses) gleaned from bare ground, being a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders. They are regular prey for small falcons (merlin, kestrel), urban owls, and terrestrial predators like cats and snakes.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
They are monogamous. They build a tiny and precarious-looking nest (a loose platform of rootlets, twigs, and interwoven stems) in the fork of a small tree or an urban thorny shrub, usually about 2-4 meters off the ground. They frequently reuse abandoned nests of other birds. The female lays 2 white eggs. Incubation is shared and lasts 13 to 15 days. Like all doves, they feed their squabs with crop milk. The young mature incredibly quickly and leave the nest between 14 and 16 days after hatching, allowing the pair to have multiple broods per year.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
16.5 - 23.0 cm
Weight (Grams)
30 g - 58 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 2
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
4 - 6 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
13 - 15
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males2 - 5 Years
Females2 - 5 Years
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Heat Pyramids (Social Thermoregulation): In areas where temperatures drop sharply at night, these small doves have a unique behavior in the avian world: they perch closely together and literally stack on top of each other, forming a pyramid of up to three tiers (with 5 to 12 birds) to conserve body heat.
Wing Rattle Alarm: Much like the white-tipped dove, but higher pitched and more metallic, when they take off startled, their primary feathers produce a dry, vibrant rattling sound. This serves as an instant alarm for the rest of the flock and disorients the predator.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Domestic Cats and Dogs: Being a docile bird that constantly forages by walking on the ground in highly urbanized areas, they are extremely easy and frequent prey for roaming cats and dogs in streets and gardens.
Vehicle and Glass Collisions: Their constant low-level crossing of streets in towns, combined with their stampede flight reaction, causes countless deaths from being run over and colliding with windows.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The 'No Hope' Call: Its rhythmic and insistent vocalization, repeated endlessly during the hottest hours of the day, sounds like 'coo-coo'. In English, many interpret it onomatopoeically as if the little dove is sadly saying 'no hope, no hope'.
Rapid Suction: Like the rest of their family, they have the unusual ability to drink water by continuous suction (like using a straw), without needing to lift their head to swallow by gravity. In dry and urban habitats, this allows them to drink quickly at puddles and flee from danger.