Know Your Doves

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Legal Game Birds

Mourning Dove

Mourning dove
Mourning dove

  • Brown with black spots on wing
  • Long, pointed tail
  • All of Texas

White-winged Dove

White-winged dove
White-winged dove

  • White bar on wing
  • Large, rounded tail
  • South Texas, increasing statewide

White-tipped Dove (White-fronted)

White-tipped dove
White-tipped Dove

  • Large, rounded tail
  • Rust-colored wing linings
  • South Texas

Unprotected Species

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

  • Narrow black collar on nape of neck
  • White, squared tail underside
  • Pale gray body, black bill, red irises

Rock Dove (Rock Pigeon)

Rock Dove
Rock Dove

  • Large plump body, small head
  • Gray, brown or white
  • Common in cities and ranches

Protected, Not Hunted

Band-tailed Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon

  • Yellow bill
  • White band on neck
  • Wooded mountain areas

Inca Dove

Inca Dove
Inca Dove

  • Scaly looking
  • Small, brown body
  • Urban and suburban areas, woodland edges, savannahs, thickets

Common Ground Dove

Common Ground Dove
Common Ground Dove

  • Sandy brown color
  • Dark spots on wings
  • Short, round tail
  • Small body, short thin bill

Know Your Doves | PDF