The Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) is a small, terrestrial dove that is native to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. Also known as the Common Ground Dove or Common Ground-Dove, this species gets its name from its habit of foraging on the ground for seeds and insects. The Common Ground-Dove is known for its distinctive vocalizations, which serve several purposes including defending territories and attracting mates. In this article, we will explore the different sounds made by the Common Ground-Dove and the context in which they are used.
Coo Call
The most common vocalization of the Common Ground-Dove is a soft, low-pitched “coo” sound. This call is used by both male and female doves and serves several functions. When given repeatedly, the coo call announces that a dove is defending its territory and warns other doves to stay away. Both members of a mated pair will make the coo call to reaffirm their bond and signal their presence to each other. Coo calls are also given by unmated males when courting females. The tempo and repetition of the coo provides information to other doves – urgent coos indicate alarm, while slow coos signal contentment.
During the breeding season, the male Common Ground-Dove performs a courting display for females that involves flying up a short distance and then gliding down with wings spread. This flying display is accompanied by vocalizations described as “coo OOrrr whoit” or “coo OOoorrr gitgitgit.” The female may respond with a sharp “chrrup” sound if she is interested. Once paired, the male and female doves give a duet coo call to strengthen their bond. The basic coo call sounds like “cooOOoo” with an emphasis on the second syllable.
Distress Calls
Common Ground-Doves have several distress and alarm calls that alert others to danger. When attacked by a predator, they give a short, harsh “chip” sound. A more intense alarm call is described as a fast repeating “hcip hcip hcip” noise. If a parent detects a threat to its nest, it will give a warning call that sounds like “coo-OOO hrrrr.” The dove gives this call while flicking its wings in agitation. Nestlings also vocalize with loud chirping when disturbed.
Takeoff and Landing Calls
The Common Ground-Dove makes soft wheezing or whistling noises just before taking flight and upon landing again. These vocalizations may help signal the dove’s movements to others nearby. The takeoff call is a soft “pseet” while landing is preceded by a “pssshhh” sound. In flight, the wings make a characteristic whistling noise that also serves to alert other doves.
Song
In addition to the cooing call, male Common Ground-Doves have a simple, melodious song that is used to attract females. It is typically given from an elevated perch like a tree branch or fence post. The song consists of around 20 phrases, with each phrase lasting about a second. It sounds like “coo coo coo, choo choo choo, coo coo coo.” The song is fairly low volume and sounds peaceful and meditative. Female doves may sing softly as well, particularly during the breeding season.
Mimicry
Common Ground-Doves are adept mimics and incorporate sounds from other species into their vocal repertoire. They often mimic the calls of other doves as well as birds of prey like Peregrine Falcons. Mimicking predator calls may help keep danger at bay. Common Ground-Doves have also been documented mimicking human noises like whistles and bells. The extent to which individual doves can mimic varies considerably based on experience and learning.
Regional Variations
The sounds made by Common Ground-Doves can vary somewhat across their broad geographic range. There are six recognized subspecies of Common Ground-Dove:
- C. p. passerina – Eastern and Southern U.S.
- C. p. pallescens – Southwest U.S. and Mexico
- C. p. neglecta – Caribbean islands
- C. p. exigua – Nicaragua to Northwest South America
- C. p. caucae – Western Colombia
- C. p. uropygialis – Panama and Northwest South America
The subspecies have slightly different vocal characteristics. For example, C. p. exigua of South America gives a song that is faster-paced than populations in North America. Males of C. p. caucae have a slower, more leisurely song. More research is needed to fully understand the range of variation in vocalizations between Common Ground-Dove subspecies.
Why Do Common Ground-Doves Make These Sounds?
Bird vocalizations serve a variety of important purposes:
- Defending territories – The coo call announces ownership of an area
- Attracting mates – Songs and specialized courtship calls help bring males and females together
- Strengthening social bonds – Duet and group calling reinforces pair bonds and group cohesion
- Alarm calls – Special calls alert others to danger from predators
- Communicating location – Takeoff and landing calls help signal a bird’s presence and position
- Mimicry – Mimicking other species may provide protective advantages
The wide range of sounds in the Common Ground-Dove’s vocal repertoire allows them to effectively communicate and coordinate their social behavior. Vocalizations are often given in context-specific ways, allowing other doves to discern meaning. The common ground-dove’s small size and terrestrial habits likely contributed to the evolution of their varied vocalizations for signaling while out of sight.
How Do Common Ground-Doves Make Their Sounds?
Birds produce vocalizations using their syrinx, a specialized vocal organ located at the branch point between the trachea and bronchi. The syrinx contains vibrating tissues and muscles that can be manipulated to produce a wide range of pitches, tones, and volume levels.
The acoustic dynamics of the vocal tract, including the beak shape, modify the sound produced by the syrinx. The respiratory system provides the airflow and pressure control needed to vocalize. A dove’s cooing requires coordination between the syrinx, vocal tract, and breathing to generate the right harmonics and resonance.
Common Ground-Doves likely have some anatomical adaptations in their vocal tracts compared to other doves that give their calls a lower pitch and quicker oscillations. The syrinx muscles controlling sound production are activated by input from vocal control centers in the bird’s brain. Learning and experience play key roles in shaping the vocal repertoire of many bird species.
Conclusion
The Common Ground-Dove has a rich vocal repertoire consisting of coos, courtship calls, alarm calls, and song. These varied sounds allow individuals to effectively communicate, find mates, defend territories, and coordinate movements. Regional variations in vocalizations suggest an interplay between genetic differences, learning, and cultural transmission in shaping dove sounds. Further research can provide deeper insight into how the anatomy and neurology of doves enables their production of harmonious and textured vocalizations. Understanding bird vocalizations provides clues to how different environmental pressures and social dynamics shape communication.