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PIGEONS (COLUMBIDAE; 25+ SPECIES) Worldwide family of rather plump-

bodied birds with small heads, relatively short sturdy legs. Ages differ slightly, sexes similar

(female often averages duller than male) or strikingly different; adult appearance attained in

1st year.

MOURNING DOVE  Zenaida macroura 25.5–31cm. Open and semi-open

areas from farmland to brushy second growth, especially in drier regions; often

along roadsides. Feeds on ground, where overlooked easily until flushed; often

seen early and late in day in fast direct flight. In display, climbs with slow

wingbeats and glides down on bowed wings, at times in pairs, when can suggest

parakeets. Locally in flocks, at times 100s during winter. Distinctive, with long

pointed tail, big dark droplet spots on wing coverts. Juv. scaly and smaller than

adult, might be mistaken for Inca Dove. Female slightly duller than male,

without blue-gray hindneck. SOUNDS: In flight, including when flushed, makes

high rapid wing whistle. Song a low mournful cooing, 1st note longest and slightly broken, with 2nd part

higher, followed by 1–4 (typically 3) coos fading away, whoo’oo ooo ooo ooo. STATUS: Fairly common locally

on n. Pacific slope, to 3000m on slopes of Irazú; more numerous and widespread Oct–Mar, when n.

migrants present. (N America to Panama.)

WHITE-WINGED DOVE  Zenaida asiatica 27–30.5cm. Semi-open areas from

dry forest and ranchland to brushy woodland, towns, villages. Feeds mainly on

ground but often perches on roadside wires and can be confiding where not

hunted; winter flocks locally number 100s. Flight fast and direct but slower and

usually higher overhead than Mourning Dove, more like larger pigeons.

Distinctive, with bold white wing band, white tail corners; cf. larger and paler

Eurasian Collared Dove. SOUNDS:  Short song a mournful, slightly hoarse

cooing wh-koó ku-kooo (‘who cooks for you’); long song lower, slightly chanting,

a 3-note then 4-note phrase and a varied ending of 1–4 notes, such as h-hoo-coo,

h-hoo coo-oo, oo oóo oo. STATUS: Common in nw. lowlands and Central Valley, to 1500m; uncommon to

locally fairly common and spreading on n. Caribbean slope and s. along Pacific slope. More widespread

in north Oct–Apr, when n. migrants occur. (Mexico and sw. US to w. Panama.)

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE  Streptopelia decaocto 31–34cm. Open and

semi-open areas from towns and villages to ranchland. Often perches on road­

side wires and utility poles, locally in small flocks. Flight direct, with slightly

clipped wingbeats, not as fast as Mourning Dove and often higher overhead.

Plumage tones variable, some notably pale and milky, others rather dark, but

note plain upperparts with narrow black hindcollar, big white tail corners.

SOUNDS: Song a mournful 3-syllable cooing wh’Huuu hu, about 1 sec, often

repeated several times in tedious succession. Flight call a slightly overslurred,

burry réhhr. STATUS:  Scarce and local but increasing on Pacific slope; first

recorded Costa Rica in 2000s. (Native to Eurasia.)

FERAL PIGEON (ROCK DOVE)  Columba ‘livia’ 30.5–35cm. Widespread,

bastardized human commensal of towns, villages, city parks; rarely far from

habitation. Often in flocks, perching on roadside wires, buildings, around

animal feed lots; infrequently perches in trees. Plumage highly variable, an

annoying source of potential confusion with native pigeons, but note habitat

and habits; in flight, underwing coverts often white (dark on native pigeons).

SOUNDS: Low muffled cooing audible at close range. STATUS: Fairly common to

common locally almost throughout, to 3000m. (Native to Eurasia.)