Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina
Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina, Juvenile. Bird photographed in a residential area of the greater Los Cabos area of Baja California Sur, March 2017.
Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina, Juvenile. Photograph taken within the greater Bahía de los Ángeles area, Baja California, March 2024. Photograph courtesy of George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California. Identification courtesy of Mary & George Flicker, Bahía de los Ángeles.
Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina. Bird photographed in the bush of the Los Cabos area of Baja California Sur, December 2019. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.
Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina. Photograph taken within a residential community in Hereford, Arizona, October 2020. Photograph and identification courtesy of Bob Behrstock, Sierra Vista, Arizona (naturewideimages.com).
Background and Identification
The Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina, is a member of the Columbidae Family of Pigeons and Doves. They are one of the smallest doves in North America, easily recognized by their compact size and short tail. the scientific name of this species speaks to its size, meaning “little dove”. This species has the widest and northernmost distribution of any bird in the genus Columbina. In the wild, their diets consist of seeds of wild grasses and weeds supplemented with seasonal berries, small fruits, grains, and insects. In Mexico, the Common Ground Dove is known as Columbina Común.
The Common Ground Dove is a small dove, with a total average length of 15-18 cm. The average body mass is 28-40 g. Adults have a soft, grayish-brown body with subtle pinkish underparts, while their wings feature small black spots. In flight, they display a flash of chestnut in the wings. This species is monomorphic, it is hard to distinguish between the sexes. Males and females are similar in appearance, though males may have slightly more vibrant colors. Their small size, along with their soft cooing calls, helps distinguish them from larger dove species The bill is distinctly bi-colored, with a dark tip and a bright orange or pink base.
Habitat and Geographical Range
Common Ground Doves are found in a variety of habitats, including arid scrublands, open woodlands, fields, and coastal areas. They live in desert scrub and near edges of desert riparian areas, as well as in alkali desert scrub and desert washes. Any place with available insects, fruits, and seeds on the ground is preferred.
Common Ground Doves are a non-migratory species and prefer to stay in warmer climates year-round. Their range extends from the southern United States, especially in the southeastern regions like Florida and Texas, through Mexico, Central America, and into northern parts of South America. They are also found in the Caribbean. They are found throughout Mexico, except for the northern central highlands in the States of Chihuahua, Durango, and Tabasco. They thrive at elevations up to 2,500 m (8,200 feet).
Common Misidentifications
Common Ground Doves can sometimes be confused with the Inca Dove, Columbina inca, which have similar habitats and the same scaly appearance. However, the Inca Dove is slightly larger and has a longer, more distinct tail. The Ruddy Ground Dove, Columbina talpacoti, found further south, is another look-alike but is generally more rufous in color with less scaly plumage.
Conservation Perspective
From a conservation perspective, the Common Ground Dove is categorized by the IUCN as Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. However, habitat loss, especially in areas of rapid development or agriculture, could pose a threat to local populations. Despite this, their adaptability to various habitats has helped them maintain healthy numbers across their distribution.