Doves are a ubiquitous bird found on every continent except Antarctica. With over 300 species spanning multiple genera, doves come in many varieties. But when it comes to determining the most common dove, several candidates stand out as the likely winners.
To identify the most prevalent dove species, we need to look at a few factors:
– Geographic range – Widespread species found across multiple regions tend to be more common.
– Population numbers – Abundant species with large total populations will edge out rarer ones.
– Adaptability – Generalist species that can thrive in diverse habitats tend to be more common than specialists.
Major Dove Genera
Doves belong to the family Columbidae and are divided into several genera, with some of the major ones being:
| Genus | Species Examples |
|---|---|
| Streptopelia | Eurasian collared-dove, laughing dove, spotted dove |
| Zenaida | Zenaida dove, white-winged dove, mourning dove |
| Columbina | Common ground dove, Inca dove, scaled dove |
| Leptotila | Gray-fronted dove, Grenada dove, white-tipped dove |
| Geopelia | Bar-shouldered dove, peaceful dove, zebra dove |
These groups contain some of the most widespread and numerous dove species that are leading contenders for the “most common” title.
Leading Candidates
Based on range, population, and adaptability, three dove species stand out as strong candidates for the most common:
Eurasian Collared-Dove
- Native to Europe and Asia, now found across Europe, Asia, and introduced in North America
- Population estimated at 79 million worldwide
- Highly adaptable, thriving in diverse habitats from grasslands to urban areas
Mourning Dove
- Native across most of North America, parts of Mexico, and the Caribbean
- Population estimated at 350 million in North America alone
- Generalist species found in many open and semi-open habitats
Laughing Dove
- Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia, and Australia
- Population unknown but presumed very large based on enormous range
- Lives in a variety of wooded and semi-open habitats
Geographic Range
When looking at overall geographic breeding range, the Eurasian collared-dove comes out on top. Native to Europe and introduced widely across North America, it breeds across two continents.
The mourning dove breeds across most of North America. The laughing dove occupies a massive range across Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. Both species have extensive ranges spanning multiple countries and climates.
So while the mourning dove dominates North America and the laughing dove is widespread in the Southern Hemisphere, the Eurasian collared-dove wins out for having the most extensive breeding distribution worldwide.
Population Numbers
Estimating exact population sizes for doves is difficult, but we can make educated guesses based on available data:
| Species | Population Estimate |
|---|---|
| Eurasian collared-dove | 79 million |
| Mourning dove | 350 million |
| Laughing dove | Unknown but presumed >100 million |
The mourning dove appears to have the largest overall population, which is unsurprising since it dominates the bird-rich regions of North and Central America.
The Eurasian collared-dove likely numbers fewer than 100 million, while the laughing dove almost certainly exceeds that mark based on its vast African and Asian range.
So while the mourning dove seems to be the most populous, the laughing dove likely comes second, edged out only by the fact its population has not been directly estimated across its full range.
Habitat Adaptability
When it comes to adaptability, all three leading dove species tend to be habitat generalists, able to thrive across diverse environments.
The Eurasian collared-dove in particular stands out for its ability to rapidly expand into new regions and survive everything from grasslands to urban and suburban areas. They have even been expanding into cooler climates not typically favored by other doves.
Mourning doves and laughing doves are also adaptable, found in various open to semi-open environments from scrublands to farms and rural areas. But the Eurasian collared-dove’s adaptability and ability to self-introduce across continents gives it an edge.
Conclusion
Based on the preceding factors, the Eurasian collared-dove stands out as the most common dove species globally.
Though the mourning dove likely has a larger total population, the Eurasian collared-dove’s massive and growing range across Europe, Asia, and North America as well as its extreme adaptability tip the scales in its favor.
It remains widespread and numerous across its native range while also expanding enormously as an invasive species in North America. Combined with an ability to thrive among humans, this makes the Eurasian collared-dove the hands-down most widespread and common dove species found worldwide.
So next time you see an unusually large pale dove roosting on a power line or foraging in a parking lot, there’s a good chance you’re looking at the common but under-appreciated Eurasian collared-dove.
