Gary Helm
"A Native Floridian"
While many species of dove live in Florida, the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is the only dove species native to the state.
Many dove species that reside in Florida, while not native, are state and federally protected, including the common ground dove (Zenaida passerina), Inca dove (Columbina inca), Key West quail-dove (Geotrygon chrysie), ruddy quail-dove (Geotrygon Montana), scaly-naped pigeon (Columba squamosa), white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica), white-crowned pigeon (Columbina leucocephala) and Zenaida dove (Zenaida aurita). There are also other species of dove residing in Florida that are not protected and considered exotics in the United States; examples include the diamond dove (Geopelia cuneate), ringed turtle dove (Streptopelia risoria), rock dove or common pigeon (Columba livia), and Eurasian collared or ring-necked dove (Streptopelia decaocto).
Mourning doves can be found throughout southern Canada, all of the U.S. and Central America, and most of the Caribbean Islands. Found throughout Florida, the greatest numbers of mourning doves appear to be in the central portion of the state. Florida populations increase during the winter months, when the resident population is supplemented by birds migrating in from the north. During the past 40 years, dove populations have remained relatively stable in the eastern U.S., with a 1% increase during the last 10 years. In Florida, dove populations increased by 2% during the past 40 years, but decreased slightly (2%) during the last 10 years. Throughout the U.S., the number of dove hunters and birds harvested annually has been declining. Hunting, which typically takes 10-15% of the fall population, does not appear to be a significant problem for doves or an important factor in population declines. The primary reason for declines in many dove populations is the loss and degradation of breeding and foraging habitat.
I found this one along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County, Florida.
"A Native Floridian"
While many species of dove live in Florida, the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is the only dove species native to the state.
Many dove species that reside in Florida, while not native, are state and federally protected, including the common ground dove (Zenaida passerina), Inca dove (Columbina inca), Key West quail-dove (Geotrygon chrysie), ruddy quail-dove (Geotrygon Montana), scaly-naped pigeon (Columba squamosa), white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica), white-crowned pigeon (Columbina leucocephala) and Zenaida dove (Zenaida aurita). There are also other species of dove residing in Florida that are not protected and considered exotics in the United States; examples include the diamond dove (Geopelia cuneate), ringed turtle dove (Streptopelia risoria), rock dove or common pigeon (Columba livia), and Eurasian collared or ring-necked dove (Streptopelia decaocto).
Mourning doves can be found throughout southern Canada, all of the U.S. and Central America, and most of the Caribbean Islands. Found throughout Florida, the greatest numbers of mourning doves appear to be in the central portion of the state. Florida populations increase during the winter months, when the resident population is supplemented by birds migrating in from the north. During the past 40 years, dove populations have remained relatively stable in the eastern U.S., with a 1% increase during the last 10 years. In Florida, dove populations increased by 2% during the past 40 years, but decreased slightly (2%) during the last 10 years. Throughout the U.S., the number of dove hunters and birds harvested annually has been declining. Hunting, which typically takes 10-15% of the fall population, does not appear to be a significant problem for doves or an important factor in population declines. The primary reason for declines in many dove populations is the loss and degradation of breeding and foraging habitat.
I found this one along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County, Florida.