General

Spotted Dove: Medium-sized dove with gray-brown upperparts and pink-brown underparts. Head has a pale gray cap, dark eye-line, and white-spotted black nape patch. Tail is long and gray with black edges and white corners. Sexes are similar. Juvenile lacks spotted nape.

Range and Habitat

Spotted Dove: Native of Asia; introduced in coastal southern California. Preferred habitats include suburban areas and gardens.

Breeding and Nesting

Spotted Dove: Two white eggs are laid on a flimsy stick platform built in a tree or shrub. Eggs are incubated for 14 days by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Spotted Dove: Eats seeds and bits of vegetation; forages on the ground, usually in grasslands or cultivated fields.

Readily Eats

Cracked Corn, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Milo, Thistle

Vocalization

Spotted Dove: Song is a three-syllable, rolling "coo-coo-cooooo."

Similar Species

Spotted Dove: Mourning Dove lacks spotted nape patch.