Eared Dove — Zenaida auriculata

The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) ranges from islands such as Trinidad through much of South America to southern Argentina. This adaptable species thrives in dry scrub, agricultural lands, and urban areas, where farming and human settlements provide abundant seeds and roosting sites.

Sometimes large flocks of Eared Doves gather over cities and farmland, especially in South American lowlands after the rainy season. These seasonal movements and aggregations are driven largely by food availability and breeding cycles, and they make the species highly visible to birdwatchers and to farmers alike.

Key Takeaways

• The Eared Dove is a widespread species across South America and the Caribbean, occupying diverse habitats from urban parks to agricultural areas.
• The species adapts readily to human-modified landscapes, often feeding on farmed seeds and grains.
• Seasonal movements and large flocks are common; breeding and abundance typically track food availability.
• Because they form large groups, Eared Doves can be both a favorite sight for birdwatchers and a management concern for farmers.

Learn how to identify and record sightings with citizen science platforms to help monitor this species’ range and status.

Introduction to the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)

The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) is a widespread New World species found throughout much of South America and the Caribbean. This medium-sized dove is typically olive-brown overall with darker wing markings and the small dark patches near the ear coverts that give the species its common name.

Behaviorally, the eared dove shows seasonal movement and flexible foraging patterns tied to local conditions. In some ways it resembles North America’s Mourning Dove in being a ground-seeding, soft-cooing bird, but Zenaida auriculata has its own distinct call and social dynamics. Researchers study its seasonal behavior because changes in vocal activity, flocking, and appearance often reflect breeding cycles and resource availability across its range.

Note: seasonality and the timing of breeding vary with latitude — tropical populations may breed year-round while temperate populations show stronger seasonal peaks. For birdwatchers, an identification checklist is helpful: size ~22–28 cm, olive-brown upperparts, pinkish underparts, black bill, yellow-bronze neck iridescence in good light, and the distinctive ear-spot. Consider linking to an audio clip of the species’ call for field identification.

The Geographical Range of the Eared Dove

Eared Dove Migration

The Eared Dove is a widespread New World bird species whose range extends from Caribbean islands (including Trinidad) through much of South America down to southern Argentina and Paraguay. Understanding its range and movement patterns helps guide conservation, agricultural management, and birdwatching efforts across the continent.

Native Regions and Territorial Expansion

Zenaida auriculata occupies many habitats across its range—from dry scrub and savannas to agricultural areas and urban parks. The species has expanded or increased in many human-modified landscapes where farming provides an abundant food supply and urban areas offer roosting sites. Regions such as the Gran Chaco and parts of the Pampas and Córdoba province in Argentina often host particularly large populations.

Expansion into new areas is frequently linked to the spread of agriculture and urbanization, which create predictable food resources (seed crops, spilled grain) and safe roosts. In cities the species commonly coexists with people, exploiting parks, plazas, and farmland margins.

Migration Patterns and Seasonal Movements

Movement patterns vary across the Eared Dove’s broad range. Some populations are largely resident, especially in tropical zones where food is available year‑round; others show seasonal movements tied to food availability and breeding. In cooler temperate areas, birds may concentrate in towns during colder months, while in northeastern Brazil and similar regions large post‑rain aggregations can form when seeds and new crops become available.

Generally, where food is abundant—often because of agricultural planting or post‑rain seed flushes—breeding increases and local numbers swell. Distinguishing resident from migratory populations is important for regional management and for interpreting seasonal counts.

Range summary: Caribbean islands (including Trinidad) south through most of South America to southern Argentina and Paraguay. IUCN status and range maps should be consulted for up-to-date conservation information.

For mapping and local movement data, include a range map graphic (placeholder) and cite regional monitoring sources (e.g., national bird atlases, BirdLife, eBird) when preparing the final article.

Understanding the Eared Dove Habitat

Eared Dove in natural habitat

Eared doves are highly adaptable New World birds that occupy a wide range of habitats — from dry scrub and open savanna to agricultural margins and city parks. Their flexibility has helped the species persist and even increase in human-modified landscapes where seeds and roosting sites are plentiful.

Scrublands to Urban Environments

Historically common in open lands and light woodland, the eared dove now frequently uses urban and suburban areas as well. Parks, plazas, cemeteries and gardened yards provide suitable trees and perches for roosting, while nearby lawns and plazas offer foraging opportunities. In agricultural regions, field edges and storage areas offer predictable food sources that support large local populations.

Foraging and Roosting Preferences

These doves are primarily ground foragers that feed on seeds and grains; they readily take advantage of spilled or standing crops in agricultural areas. Typical foraging and roosting notes:

• Foraging: Primarily seeds and grains found on the ground — from native grasses to cultivated crops and spilled grain.
• Roosting: Trees, shrubs, and man-made structures in urban and agricultural settings; communal roosting is common.
• Group behavior: Often seen in sizable flocks in feeding and roosting sites, especially where food is abundant.

Practical tips for observers: scan open ground near parks and farm margins early morning and late afternoon to see foraging groups; binoculars and a field guide noting the species’ olive-brown plumage and ear-spot will help identification. For conservation and urban planning, consider preserving roost trees and minimizing large-scale grain spillage to reduce conflict with farmers while supporting urban biodiversity.

Unique Physical Characteristics of the Eared Dove

The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) is a medium-sized dove, typically 22–28 cm in length, with an overall gray to olive-brown body and subtle but diagnostic field marks. In good light the neck shows a yellow‑bronze iridescence; the species also has a black bill, pinkish underparts, and the small dark spots beneath the ear coverts that give it its common name.

Males tend to be slightly more colorful than females, which usually appear duller, while juveniles are paler and show narrow streaking on the breast and wings. These differences help birdwatchers and researchers distinguish ages and sexes in the field.

• Primary color: Gray to olive‑brown
• Iridescence: Yellow‑bronze on the neck in good light
• Bill: Black
• Underparts: Pinkish hue
• Distinctive mark: Small dark spots below the ears (ear‑spot)

Diet: seeds, grains and agricultural foods

Eared doves are primarily granivorous. They feed largely on seeds and grains found on the ground, ranging from native grass seeds to cultivated cereals. In agricultural areas and storage sites they make extensive use of millet, wheat, sorghum and other crop seeds, and will also take sunflower, maize and peanuts where available. Proportions vary by region and season; some studies report very high reliance on cultivated seed in intensive farming landscapes, but percentages differ by location and year.

Agricultural impact and management considerations

Because they exploit grain-rich habitats, eared doves can reach high local densities in agricultural areas and periodically cause measurable crop losses. Population estimates and impact levels vary by country and season; published regional surveys have reported large aggregations in parts of Argentina and other areas of South America. Where doves congregate around harvests or storage, farmers may see damage, especially when flocks are large and persistent.

Management approaches favor non-lethal measures where possible: reducing grain spillage, using netting or exclusion around storage, altering harvest timing, and deploying visual or acoustic deterrents can reduce losses. Any control actions should be guided by local regulations and best-practice advice from agricultural extension services.

Regional examples

Country-level surveys and monitoring give the best picture of local impacts and population trends. For example, monitoring programs in parts of Argentina have documented very large flocks in agricultural provinces; similar seasonal increases are reported in other agricultural areas. Use current regional reports (agricultural agencies, BirdLife, or national atlases) to support specific numeric estimates when preparing a final, cited article.

Behavioral Traits and Social Structure

Eared Dove Urban Adaptation

The Eared Dove is a highly social member of the Columbidae family with flexible behavior that helps it thrive across a range of habitats. Its social organization and flocking tendencies influence feeding efficiency, predator avoidance, and interactions with people in urban and agricultural areas.

Social Flocks: Patterns of Aggregation

Eared doves commonly form flocks that range from small groups to very large aggregations, depending on food availability and season. Flocking increases the efficiency of locating food patches and reduces predation risk through collective vigilance. Typical flock sizes vary regionally — small local flocks are common in parks and farms, while agricultural landscapes can support thousands of birds when resources peak.

Adaptability and Interactions with Humans

The species adapts readily to urban environments in a manner similar to other commensal Columbids (for example, rock pigeons). In towns and cities, eared doves exploit parks, plazas, and food resources associated with people; in agricultural areas they follow planting and harvest cycles. These behaviors make them highly visible to birdwatchers but can also bring them into conflict with farmers when flocks feed on crops or stored grain.

Notes and caveats: historical anecdotes of extremely large flocks exist, but specific large-number claims should be supported by regional surveys. Reported daily intake figures vary by study and should be cited when used.

Practical guidance

For birdwatchers: scan open foraging areas early morning and late afternoon; use binoculars to observe flock structure and behavior without disturbing roosts. For managers: prioritize non‑lethal measures (reducing spillage, habitat modification, timed harvesting) and consult local wildlife and agricultural authorities before implementing controls.

Eared Dove Reproduction and Mating Rituals

The Eared Dove displays a suite of courtship behaviors and a flexible breeding strategy that help it reproduce successfully across a wide range of habitats from the Caribbean to southern Argentina. Understanding these behaviors clarifies how the species times reproduction with food availability and why large breeding gatherings form in productive agricultural areas.

Courtship and mating displays

During courtship, males perform flight displays and soft cooing to attract females; they may also chase and present tail‑and‑wing patterns while calling. These behaviors strengthen pair bonds and help establish nesting territories. Both males and females participate in nest building and incubation in many populations.

Colony breeding and group dynamics

When resources are abundant—after rains or during crop availability—eared doves may gather in very large groups and engage in colonial breeding. Such aggregations increase local breeding density and can lead to high numbers of active nests in a single area.

Breeding cycle overview

Reported nest success rates and other breeding metrics vary by study and location; for example, some regional surveys report moderate nest success where food is abundant, but any numeric figures (e.g., “52% success”) should be cited from local studies when included.

Practical considerations

Because breeding often coincides with crop availability, farmers may notice higher local dove numbers during planting and harvest. Management that reduces grain spillage and protects stored grain can lower local attraction. Conservationists and farmers should coordinate to use non-lethal deterrents and habitat adjustments where necessary; consult local agricultural extension services for region‑specific recommendations.

Where can Eared Doves be found?

The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) occurs from Caribbean islands through much of South America down to southern Argentina and Paraguay. It occupies a variety of habitats including dry scrub, agricultural areas, suburban green spaces and city parks.

Do Eared Doves migrate?

Some populations are resident while others show seasonal movements. Tropical populations often breed year‑round, whereas temperate populations may shift seasonally—concentrating in towns or agricultural areas in cooler months or forming large post‑rain flocks where food becomes available.

What does the Eared Dove look like?

Adults are typically olive‑brown to gray with pinkish underparts, a black bill and small dark spots near the ear coverts. In good light the neck may show yellow‑bronze iridescence. Juveniles are paler and streaked. These field marks help birdwatchers identify the species.

What do Eared Doves eat?

They are primarily ground‑feeding granivores that consume seeds and grains — from native grass seeds to cultivated cereals. In agricultural areas they often feed on spilled or standing crops; in urban areas they may take advantage of food associated with people.

What impact do they have on agriculture?

Where large flocks concentrate, eared doves can cause crop damage or grain loss, particularly during planting, ripening and harvest. The scale of impact varies by region, year and farming practices; local monitoring and mitigation (reducing spillage, covering stored grain, timing harvests) can reduce conflicts.

How do Eared Doves socialize?

They are social birds that form pairs and flocks. Communal roosting and flocking support foraging success and predator vigilance; flock sizes can range from small groups in parks to very large aggregations in productive agricultural landscapes.

What is unique about their mating ritual and breeding cycle?

Males perform flight displays and soft cooing to attract females; pairs build simple stick nests and typically lay two eggs per clutch. Incubation is shared (about 14 days) and nestlings fledge after roughly 12–15 days, though timing and success rates vary by region and food availability.

What is the conservation status of the Eared Dove?

Consult up‑to‑date sources (IUCN, BirdLife, national red lists) for current status. The species is widespread and often locally abundant, but regional monitoring is important to detect trends and inform management where agricultural conflicts or habitat changes occur.

How can I help monitor or coexist with Eared Doves?

Record and report sightings to citizen science platforms (e.g., eBird) to improve range and trend data. For farmers and land managers, adopt preventative practices (reduce grain spillage, secure storage, non‑lethal deterrents) and work with local extension services to balance production with wildlife conservation.

If you need specific regional guidance or citations for any of the points above, include the local study or monitoring program and I can help assemble a referenced resource list.