An Inca Dove spotted in Two Harbors, Minnesota, is a long way from its warm southern range. It’s not going to like the cold weather.
From time to time, a bird strays a long way out of the normal range and habitat of its species. In 2006, we heard about a Western Reef Heron from Africa in eastern Canada and the northeastern US. This fall, millions were intrigued by a Green-breasted Mango hummingbird in Wisconsin (from Central and South America). Now, there’s an Inca Dove in Minnesota.
The Inca Dove (Columbina inca) is a small dove—adults are only 16 – 21cm long (6 – 8in). Like many of the doves, it does well in human communities; its numbers are increasing and its range expanding—but not all the way to the Great Lakes region. The species lives in warm dry regions in the southwestern US and Central America. Even in these warm regions, the birds are known to roost close together for warmth. This little Inca Dove is not likely to do well so far north.
The Green-breasted Mango was taken into captivity when it showed no signs of heading south with the arrival of cooler weather. It now resides in a zoo outside Chicago. The fate of the Inca Dove in Minnesota remains to be seen.
Read the news story about the Inca Dove in Minnesota:
"Odd Bird Spotted Along North Shore." Harlow, Tim. StarTribune.com Nov 14, 2007
Should birds that stray into areas where they can't survive be captured? Start a discussion.
