Also known as a rock pigeon, the rock dove (Columba livia) is one of the most commonly seen birds in North America and Louisiana. These birds live in urban and rural environments. In the country, rock doves nest on bluffs near Louisiana's rivers, while city-dwelling doves build their nests on window ledges and rooftops overlooking the streets. Also, rock doves eat bread crumbs in the city, while rural specimens dine on seeds and grain. Rock doves are originally from Europe, but colonists introduced the birds to the New World in the 17th century.
Inca doves (Columbina inca) are year-round residents of western Louisiana. These birds are primarily seen in urban areas, near city parks and suburban neighborhoods. Inca doves have distinguishably long tail feathers, which differentiate it from other doves, and they can regenerate their tail feathers if they are lost, according to National Geographic. This dove has gray, black-tipped feathers all over its body.
As its name suggests, the white-winged dove has white plumage on the edge of its wings; the tips of the wings have black feathers. The rest of the bird's body is gray. In Louisiana, the white-winged dove lives in dense forests near the Gulf Coast region of the state. White-winged doves are only in Louisiana during the winter; these doves do not breed in Louisiana. While they are primarily tree-dwelling birds, white-winged doves come to the ground to eat seeds and stones; the latter helps with the bird's digestion.
The common ground dove (Columbina passerina) lives statewide within the Pelican State. One of most populous dove species in Louisiana, it is also one of the smallest. Adult common ground doves are approximately 6 to 7 inches long. Although they are called ground doves, these birds build their nests in trees, according to the IUCN Redlist.
During the summer, mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) migrate to Louisiana for the breeding season. Mourning doves are slender birds with tail feathers that come to a point. The mourning dove has gray plumage on its body with a black tail and black eyes. When breeding, mourning doves produce more broods -- a collection of eggs -- than any other bird species.