Doves come in a variety of colors, ranging from pure white to tan, gray, and brown. The specific colors a dove displays depends on the species. Understanding dove coloring can help with identification and appreciation of these peaceful birds.
White Doves
The most well-known dove species is likely the white domestic pigeon. Selectively bred for their pure white plumage, these birds are a popular symbol of peace and love. Their bright white coloration makes them stand out against urban environments.
White domestic pigeons are descendants of the wild rock dove, which naturally displays gray and black iridescent plumage on the neck and wings. Through selective breeding by humans over thousands of years, the rock dove was transformed into a pure white variety.
Other all-white dove species found in the wild include the white-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica, and white-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi. These graceful birds inhabit areas of the southern United States through Central and South America.
Tan and Gray Doves
While pure white and pure black doves attract the most attention, many species display earthy tan, brown, and gray tones. These muted colors allow the birds to blend into their natural habitats.
One predominantly tan dove is the mourning dove, Zenaida macroura, a common backyard bird across North America. Mourning doves have pale tan feathers on their wings, chest, head, and back with black spots on the wings. Their underside is a soft buff color. The mourning dove’s coloration mimics tree branches, allowing them to blend into the woods and thickets where they nest.
Eurasian collared doves, Streptopelia decaocto, are another tan species, displaying a pale peachy chest and neck and grey-buff back and wings. The African collared dove is similar with pinkish-grey feathers on the head and wings and pale gray underside. The ring-necked dove’s plumage is also predominantly grey-tan with a purple-gray collar at the back of the neck.
Brown Doves
Some doves inhabit the forest floor, and their brown plumage provides camouflage. The Inca dove of the southwestern US and Mexico is a sandy brown color that resembles the bare ground where they search for seeds and grain. The common ground dove is another brown species found dashing across open spaces.
The zebra dove gets its name from the neat black and white bars on its wings and chestnut brown head and body. They almost resemble a tiny hawk more than a stereotypical peaceful dove.
Other mainly brown doves include the ruddy ground dove, blue-headed quail-dove, long-tailed ground dove, and purple-winged ground dove of Central and South America.
Black and Dark Grey Doves
While less common, some doves have dark black, grey, or iridescent plumage. This includes the stunning Nicobar pigeon,Caloenas nicobarica, which has a metallic green and purple neck that shifts colors in the light. The tooth-billed pigeon is another dark bird with deep grey plumage and a large black hooked bill.
Dark grey and black doves like the Mindoro imperial pigeon, silver-tipped imperial pigeon, and white-bellied imperial pigeon inhabit the dense island and coastal forests of Southeast Asia and Oceania. Their dark coloration allows them to disappear into the shaded jungle canopy.
The Tambourine dove of Indonesia and the peaceful dove of Australia are also nearly all grey-black with darker scaled patterning on their wings and chest that resembles tree bark.
Multi-Colored Doves
Some of the most vibrantly colored doves display a mix of slate, chestnut, white, and iridescent feathers. These include the emerald dove, Stephanie’s crowned pigeon, Scheepmaker’s crowned pigeon, and Superb fruit-dove.
The common wood pigeon found across Europe and Asia has slate grey wings with a white neck band, white wing bars, and iridescent green and purple patches on its neck. Feral city pigeons are descended from the wood pigeon and display similar intricate patterning.
The Bartlett’s bleeding-heart dove truly lives up to its name with a red splash on bright white chest feathers. Diamonds doves shimmer with tiny white dots covering their gray-brown wings and body.
What Colors Can Doves Be?
In summary, here are the main colors and color combinations displayed by the wide variety of dove species worldwide:
| Pure White | Slate Gray |
| Creamy Tan | Chestnut Brown |
| Peachy Pink | Deep Black |
| Iridescent Green | Metallic Purple |
| Emerald Green | Vibrant Red |
From snowy white to inky black and everything in between, doves display a stunning range of plumage. These colors allow individual species to blend into their natural environments, mimic tree bark and dirt, or disappear into dense forests. Dove coloring also results from selective breeding, like transforming the wild rock dove into bright white domestic pigeons.
So next time you spot a dove in your backyard or neighborhood, take a moment to appreciate its unique colors and camouflage patterning suited perfectly to its lifestyle. Understanding dove coloring can help connect us more deeply to these gentle birds we see everyday.
Conclusion
Doves exhibit an amazing diversity of colors and patterns, from pure white domestic breeds to multi-colored forest species. Their plumage allows them to blend into their natural habitats and take advantage of niches from grasslands to jungles. Dove coloring also results from selective breeding for traits like pure white plumage. Learning to appreciate the different forms doves take across the world’s landscapes allows us to connect more deeply with their beauty and shared nature as peaceful, gentle birds.
