Know Your Doves
Conozca sus palmoas

Texas is home to seven species of native doves and pigeons. The three legal game species (hunted) include Mourning, White-winged and White-tipped doves. Protected species (non-hunted) include the Inca dove, Common Ground dove, Band-tailed pigeon and Red-billed pigeon.

Legal Game Species
Aves de caza legal

Mourning Dove
Paloma huilota

Picture of a Mourning Dove.

  • Brown with black spots on wing.
  • Long, pointed tail.
  • All of Texas.
  • Marrón con manchas negras en el ala.
  • Cola larga y puntiaguda.
  • En todo el estado.

White-winged Dove
Paloma ala blanca

Picture of White-winged Dove.

  • White bar on wing.
  • Long, rounded tail.
  • South Texas, increasing statewide.
  • Franja blanca en el ala.
  • Cola larga y redondeada.
  • Sur de Texas, propagándose en todo el estado.

White-tipped Dove (White-fronted)
Paloma arroyera (frente blanco)

Picture of White-tipped Dove

  • Large, rounded tail.
  • Rust-colored wing linings.
  • South Texas.
  • Cola grande y redondeada.
  • Revestimiento color canela del ala.
  • Sur del estado.

Protected Species
Protegidas, no cazadas

Band-tailed Pigeon
Paloma torcaza

Picture of Band-tailed Pigeon

  • Yellow bill.
  • White band on neck.
  • Wooded mountain areas.
  • Pico amarillo.
  • Franja blanca en el cuello.
  • Bosques de montaña.

Inca Dove
Tortolita mexicana (tórtola cola larga, conguita, coquita)

Picture of Inca Dove

  • Scaly looking.
  • Small, brown body.
  • Urban and suburban areas, woodland edges, savannahs, thickets.
  • Aspecto escamoso.
  • Cuerpo pequeño y marrón.
  • Áreas urbanas y suburbanas, bordes del bosque, sabanas, matorrales.

Common Ground Dove
Tortolita azul (cococha, columbita común)

Picture of Common Ground Dove

  • Sandy brown color.
  • Dark spots on wings.
  • Short, round tail.
  • Small body, short thin bill.
  • Color café arenoso.
  • DaManchas oscuras en las alas.
  • Cola corta y redonda.
  • Cuerpo pequeño, pico corto y delgado.

Unprotected Species
Paloma no protegidas

Eurasian Collared-dove
Paloma exótica de collar

Picture of Eurasian Collared Dove

  • Narrow black collar on nape of neck
  • White, squared tail underside
  • Pale gray body, black bill, red irises
  • Collar negro y angosto en la base del cuello
  • Inferior de la cola es blanco y cuadrado
  • Cuerpo gris pálido, pico negro, ojos rojos

Rock Dove (Rock Pigeon)
Paloma doméstica (Paloma bravía)

Picture of Rock Dove

  • Large plump body, small head
  • Gray, brown or white
  • Common in cities and ranches
  • Cuerpo grande y gordo, cabeza pequeña
  • Gris, marrón o blanco
  • Común en ciudades y ranchos