Doves are a common sight in Arkansas, and they can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and urban areas.
Doves are small, plump birds with long tails and pointed wings. They are typically grey or brown in colour, and they have a distinctive cooing call.
Doves are herbivores, and they eat a variety of seeds, fruits, and berries.
Doves in Arkansas
There are five species of doves in Arkansas: mourning doves, white-winged doves, Eurasian collared doves, rock pigeons, and Inca doves.
1. Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove is the most common dove in Arkansas as well as in other parts of America.
Mourning Dove is commonly seen in telephone wires and forage for seeds on the ground in Arkansas.
This dove has a slender tail, a small head, black eyes, and a black small beak.
Mourning Dove can grow up to 9-13 inches in length with a wingspan of 15-18 inches.
Mourning Doves eat corn, millet, buckwheat, Rye, pine nuts, foxtail, peanuts, canary grass, wheat, sunflower seeds, rapeseed, etc. In winter, they mostly eat foxtail millet and corn.
This dove has a long tail, short legs, overall greyish-brown colour body, with black spots on the wings. They are absolutely looking very beautiful when they are in a grooming position.
Mourning Dove’s main habitats include bare ground, telephone wires, and trees. They make nests on trees with small straws.
Related: Discover 8 Doves in Arizona
2. White-winged Dove
White-winged Dove is a medium-sized dove with a short and small head. They have pale brown bodies with a white stripe along their wings.
This species of dove is larger than a Mourning Dove. White-winged doves are common in southern Arkansas, but they can also be found in other parts of the state.
White-winged Doves are brown overall. They have a white long stripe on their wings, it looks more clear when they are flying.
They have blue skin around their eyes. One interesting thing about these birds is they have red eyes.
White-winged Doves forage on grain and seeds on the ground. One interesting behaviour of this bird is gathering in huge flocks. Their calls sound like “whoo-OOO-oo, 000-00“.
They always prefer river woods, groves, farmland, suburbs, and trees in grassland.
White-winged Doves feed on seeds, agave, ocotillo, fruit, etc.
Related: Doves in Colorado
3. Eurasian Collared-Dove
This dove is an introduced species that was first found in Arkansas in 1989. It is now common throughout the state.
Eurasian collared doves are similar in appearance to mourning doves, but they have a black collar around their necks
Eurasian Collared-Dove’s main habitats include bare ground, telephone wires, and trees like Mourning Dove. They make nests on trees with small straws.
This common breeding bird is very difficult to identify. If you saw this bird from behind, you can’t identify this bird whether it is Eurasian Collared-Dove or it’s a Mourning Dove.
You can easily attract these birds with offers of sunflower seeds, other seeds, and corn, and provide them with dense trees for nesting, they spend more time in your backyard.
Related: Doves in Michigan
4. Inca dove (Columbina Inca)
This small dove is not as common as the other three species, but it can be found in wooded areas and backyards throughout Arkansas.
Inca doves have a blue-grey body with a white belly and a black head.
They are typically found in deserts, grasslands, and agricultural fields.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Inca dove is a common species in the state, and its population appears to be stable.
However, population estimates can vary depending on the time of year and location. Inca doves are not migratory.
They can be seen in Arizona year-round. they are often found in small flocks and feed primarily on seeds and grains. Their sounds are like low-pitched cooing.
Related: Doves in Hawaii
5. Rock Dove
The rock pigeon, also known as the common pigeon, is a common bird in cities throughout Arkansas.
They are often seen in large groups and can be a bother to some people. However, they are important for the city’s ecosystem.
They help control pests and provide food for other animals like hawks and owls.
Rock pigeons originally come from Europe but were brought to North America in the 1600s.
They quickly adapted to city life and can now be found in cities across the continent.
Rock pigeons eat a variety of things like seeds, fruits, insects, and even trash. They build their nests in buildings and bridges.
Rock pigeons are not in danger of disappearing. However, they can carry diseases like salmonella and histoplasmosis.
So if you touch them or their droppings, make sure to wash your hands well.
Conclusion
Doves are a symbol of peace and love, and they are a common sight in Arkansas. These gentle creatures can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to fields to urban areas. They are a reminder of the beauty and tranquillity of nature, and they bring a sense of peace to our lives.
The next time you see a dove in Arkansas, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and its message of peace. Let it remind you of the importance of kindness, compassion, and love.
