Photo: Carlos E. Perez S.L / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Scaled Dove
Columbina squammata
Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata) — Pigeons & Doves of South America.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata) is a member of the Columbidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 52.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
- Genus Columbina
- Species squammata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 52.9 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Columbidae
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Habitat
- Urban & human-modified
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Scaled Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of farmland, parks and gardens, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Scaled Dove is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata) belongs to the Columbidae family of the order Columbiformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA n, e.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 52.9 g, with a wing length of about 9.5 cm and a tail of around 9.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 4.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Scaled Dove?
The Scaled Dove is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 52.9 g.
Where does the Scaled Dove live?
The Scaled Dove is found across South America with a range covering SA n, e, where it adapts readily to towns, parks and gardens.
What family does the Scaled Dove belong to?
The Scaled Dove (Columbina squammata) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.
What does the Scaled Dove eat?
The Scaled Dove is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Scaled Dove migrate?
The Scaled Dove is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Scaled Dove endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Scaled Dove make?
1 real field recording of the Scaled Dove — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Scaled Dove's range?
The Scaled Dove has a mapped global range of about 4.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Columbidae
A field guide to the Columbidae family — 352 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.