Family: Columbidae, Pigeons and Doves view all from this family

Description ADULT Has mainly gray-brown upperparts and pinkish gray underparts, palest on belly. Note that all parts of body, but especially back and belly, have black feather margins creating "scaly" look. Bill is dark, legs are pinkish, and eye has red iris and hint of blue orbital skin. JUVENILE Similar, but duller and less well patterned.

Dimensions Length: 8" (20 cm)

Habitat Mainly Central American species with toehold in parts of southern U.S., mainly Texas, where it is a locally common resident. Favors arid and disturbed land, often around human dwellings, on lawns and in gardens.

Observation Tips Easy to see in Texas and usually indifferent to people.

Range Plains, Texas, Southeast, Southwest, California

Voice Utters subdued, chuckling and cooing calls including coo-coo and kup-kup-kup kerrWhoo.

Discussion Small, plump-bodied and long-tailed ground-feeding dove. Most distinctive and diagnostic feature is "scaly" appearance to feathers on back, wing coverts, and underparts. In flight, note white sides on long tail and striking chestnut pattern on outer flight feathers, above and below; chestnut color is also visible on closed wing. Sexes are similar, although seen side-by-side, male is brighter than female.