Fun Galapagos Dove Facts For Kids

The Galápagos Islands are home to innumerable unique tropical bird species comprising pigeons, doves, cuckoos, kingfishers, and others. The Galapagos hawk, lava gulls, Galapagos penguins, waved albatross, and flightless cormorants are some of these magnificent birds.

The reddish-brown colored Galápagos dove is a near threatened inhabitant of these islands.

The two distinct Galapagos dove subspecies have been identified as Zenaida galapagoensis galapagoensis and Zenaida galapagoensis exsul. While the former inhabits all the main islands apart from Wenman and Culpepper Islands, the latter can be found only in Wenman and Culpepper Islands.

The population of these doves has projected a constant decline through the last few generations. Some threats have been determined that can potentially wipe out the species in near future.

Invasive predators, like feral cats, coupled with diseases namely Trichomonas gallinae (from the rock doves), Haemoproteus malaria, and Chlamydia psittaci are their major threats. Unrestrained human activities leading to loss of habitat and pollution are equally destructive.

For some more stunning facts about other attractive species of dove, check out the oriental turtle dove facts and African collared dove facts.

Galapagos Dove Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Galapagos dove?

A Galapagos dove (Zenaida galapagoensis) of the Columbidae family is a reddish-brown colored bird with a prominent bright black and blue ring around the eye, and a downward-pointed curved beak.

What class of animal does a Galapagos dove belong to?

Galapagos doves, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, belong to the Aves class of Columbiformes order.

How many Galapagos doves are there in the world?

The exact number of adult birds currently residing in the Galapagos Islands is uncertain owing to a lack of quantification. The bird is considered fairly common within its habitat.

However, recent surveys have revealed that the bird's population has decreased to the point of a rarity especially in the islands of San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Floreana. Invasive predation has been identified as one of the significant factors resulting in the declining population trend.

Where does a Galapagos dove live?

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, off Ecuador, these ground-dwelling birds are restricted solely to their native land. They can be traced in most of the drier and arid islands of the Galapagos Islands. Migration takes place only within these islands.

What is a Galapagos dove's habitat?

They can be found in both tropical and subtropical climates and their habitat range constitutes shrublands, bushes, Opuntia cactus, and arid regions of rocky lowlands with a few trees and bushes scattered here and there.

Who does blue Galapagos live with?

The Galapagos dove can be found in flocks.

How long does a Galapagos dove live?

The life expectancy of these doves is unknown.

How do they reproduce?

Although the breeding season differs depending on location and season, the peak time occurs between March and April. After copulation, the nest is usually constructed inside cavities of rocks, on the ground, or even in an evacuated nest of the Galapagos mockingbird, at a considerable height above the ground.

The incubation period continues for about 13 days. The Galapagos dove can produce a maximum of three clutches in a year, with each clutch having two eggs.

What is their conservation status?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has classified the Galapagos dove (Zenaida galapagoensis) under the Near Threatened category due to its sharply decreasing population within its geographical range.

Galapagos Dove Fun Facts

What do Galapagos doves look like?

A Galapagos Islands' dove grows to medium size. The plumage is reddish-brown and its wings are streaked with black and white markings while it has an attractive bright blue eye-ring.

The white-winged dove is also popular for its bright blue eye-ring but they lack the curved beak. The Galapagos dove beak is long and curved downwards rendering the species a distinct identification.

A combination of brown and gray can be traced in the tail feathers along with a pink-colored neck and breast. The neck is often marked with an iridescent patch.

They have small legs and feet that are red with hints of purple. The female is smaller than its counterpart with a darker shade on its tail, wings, and back.

How cute are they?

Birds, in their different sizes and colors, are one of the most eye-catching aerial creatures to live on the earth. Although the idea of cuteness varies from person to person, no one can just ignore these pigeons and doves scuttling around on the ground bobbing their heads adorably!

The downward-curved beak, reddish-pink feet, bright blue eye-ring add to their beauty.

How do they communicate?

Calls and songs are common ways of expression. While they may emit soft cooing sounds often, at times they may also emit deep growling sounds like 'bob-bob-bob-rurururr-bububurr' or a somewhat repetitive growling like 'wuk ... r-r-r-r-r-ruu' or 'bororororororrr'.

How big is a Galapagos dove?

An average Galapagos dove grows to a length of about 7-9 in (18-23 cm). The species is smaller than the Eurasian collared dove measuring approximately 13 in (32 cm).

How fast can a Galapagos dove fly?

Galapagos doves spend a large part of their time on the ground, foraging for food. They are extremely disinclined to flying. Only in times of necessity do they engage in short flights, at the most between the islands. Accurate speed details are lacking.

How much does a Galapagos dove weigh?

The Galapagos doves with downward-curved beaks have an average weight of around 2.4-3.2 oz (67-92 g). These doves are way lighter when compared to rock doves, which weigh around 8-13 oz (238-380 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The males and females are generally called cocks and hens respectively.

What would you call a baby Galapagos dove?

A baby Galapagos dove is referred to as a hatchling or a chick.

What do they eat?

The primary diet of the Galapagos doves comprises seeds and fruits that can be easily foraged from the ground. However, caterpillars, pulp, and blossoming flowers from Opuntia cactus are also incorporated in their omnivorous diet. The Opuntia cactus comes with softer spines allowing birds to feed on the flowers which in turn helps in pollination.

Are they dangerous?

This dove species is harmless towards humans. In fact, it prefers to maintain a safe distance from the human world.

Would they make a good pet?

The Galapagos dove (Zenaida galapagoensis) is tame and affectionate. They can exhibit friendly gestures by sitting on your shoulder or hand. However, wild birds must not be estranged from their habitat and restricted to cages or man-made environments.

Did you know...

Galapagos doves are great actors! When they sense danger looming near the nest, these doves put up a pretentious act of being gravely injured so that the predator gets distracted and is led elsewhere.

Galapagos dove adaptations

Galapagos doves previously had the reputation of being very social and tame. Human interaction with the species started around 1685 with the arrival of the British sailors.

These doves would confidently greet humans in large flocks. However, the outgoing nature of this species proved threatening to their survival as the bird was hunted down mercilessly by sailors as an easy target with around 60-70 birds being shot each morning! Adaptation taught these birds to steer clear of humans for their safety.

What island of the Galapagos is the dove located on?

The Galapagos dove range map extends only to the islands of the Galapagos. These doves can be discovered in all the major islands of Galápagos including Floreana, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Wenman, Culpepper, and Española. They prefer to reside in arid as well as semi-arid islands with very less vegetative cover.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these blue ground dove facts and emerald-spotted wood dove facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable dove carrying a letter coloring pages.

Main image by Peter Wilton

Second image by Andrew Turner.