Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Caribbean Dove

Leptotila jamaicensis

The Caribbean dove, Leptotila jamaicensis, is a medium-sized bird, measuring 29 to 33 cm in length and weighing between 117 to 190 grams. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the adult male is characterized by a white forehead, face, and throat, complemented by a gray hindcrown and an iridescent purple nape. The mantle and neck sides boast a rosy red hue with a shimmering green or purple gloss. The underparts are pure white, while the upperparts present an olive-brown shade with a distinctive white band visible in front of the folded wing. The tail feathers are grayish brown with the outer ones being black with white tips. The eyes are white or white with a red ring, set in bare dull purple skin, and the legs and feet are a striking red. The female resembles the male but with less pronounced iridescence, and juveniles appear similar to adults but are generally duller with many feathers edged in reddish tones.

Identification Tips

To identify the Caribbean dove, look for its white facial features, the iridescent purple on the nape, and the white band on the wing. The red legs and feet are also distinctive. Pay attention to the size and color variations among the subspecies, which may aid in identification.

Habitat

The Caribbean dove favors semi-arid lowlands with some shrub or tree cover. In Jamaica, it is commonly found in dry limestone forests and secondary forests in foothills, and it can be observed up to elevations of 2,000 meters in the Blue Mountains.

Distribution

This species is native to Belize, the Cayman Islands, Colombia (San Andrés island), Honduras (Bay Islands), Jamaica, and Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula). It has also been introduced to the Bahamas.

Behaviour

The Caribbean dove is known to forage on the ground, primarily feeding on seeds and small snails. It is a bird that can be seen alone or in pairs, often exhibiting a shy nature.

Song & calls

The song of the Caribbean dove is a melancholic series of four notes, with the last note being drawn out and emphasized, described as 'wo-o-o-oooooo'.

Breeding

Breeding season for the Caribbean dove occurs from March to May. Nests are typically placed low in trees or shrubs, though they can also be found higher up or on the ground. The usual clutch consists of two eggs.

Similar Species

While there are no specific similar species mentioned, it is important to differentiate the Caribbean dove from other doves and pigeons by its unique coloration and vocalizations.

Diet and Feeding

The Caribbean dove's diet consists of seeds and small snails, which it forages for on the ground.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Caribbean dove as Least Concern. Although it is uncommon on some smaller islands, it remains locally common in Jamaica and is widespread on the Yucatán Peninsula.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Caribbean Doves on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Pigeons, Doves

A photo of a Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

Nicobar Pigeon

Caloenas nicobarica
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.