Doves are beautiful birds that can be found all over Kansas. They have different colors, shapes, and sounds that make them unique and fascinating. If you want to learn more about these amazing creatures, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to know about doves in Kansas, including:

How to Identify Types Of Doves in Kansas?

There are six species of doves that live in Kansas, either year-round or seasonally. They are:

• Mourning dove: This is the most common and widespread dove in Kansas. It has a gray-brown body, a black spot on the cheek, and a long pointed tail with white tips. It makes a soft cooing sound that sounds like “oo-AH cooo cooo cooo”.
• White-winged dove: This dove is similar to the mourning dove, but larger and with a white stripe on the wing and a white tip on the tail. It is mostly found in the southwestern part of the state, where it feeds on cactus fruits and seeds. It makes a loud and harsh sound that sounds like “who-cooks-for-you”.
• Eurasian collared-dove: This dove is an invasive species that was introduced to North America in the 1980s. It has a pale gray body, a black collar on the neck, and a square tail. It is very adaptable and can be found in urban and rural areas. It makes a three-syllable sound that sounds like “coo-COO-cuh”.
• Inca dove: This dove is a small and slender dove with a brown body and a scaly pattern on the wings and tail. It is rare and local in Kansas, mostly in the south-central region. It feeds on seeds and insects on the ground. It makes a rapid and repetitive sound that sounds like “no-hope”.
• Common ground-dove: This dove is the smallest dove in Kansas, with a length of only 6 inches. It has a brown body, a short tail, and a pink bill. It is very rare and irregular in Kansas, mostly in the southeastern corner. It feeds on seeds and insects on the ground. It makes a low and soft sound that sounds like “coo”.
• Rock pigeon: This dove is not a native species, but a domesticated one that has gone wild. It has a variable color, but usually gray with a white rump and two black bars on the wing. It is very common and can be found in cities and towns, where it roosts on buildings and bridges. It makes a guttural sound that sounds like “hoo hrooo”.

How to Attract Doves to Your Backyard?

If you want to see more doves in your backyard, you can try some of these tips:

• Provide a bird feeder with seeds, such as millet, sunflower, or safflower. Doves prefer to feed on the ground, so you can scatter some seeds on a tray or a platform feeder.
• Provide a bird bath or a shallow dish with fresh water. Doves like to drink and bathe frequently, so make sure the water is clean and changed regularly.
• Provide some shelter and nesting sites, such as trees, shrubs, or birdhouses. Doves like to nest in high places, so you can hang some baskets or boxes with soft materials, such as grass, straw, or feathers.
• Avoid using pesticides or herbicides in your yard, as they can harm the doves and their food sources. Instead, use natural or organic methods to control pests and weeds.

How to Hunt Doves in Kansas?

If you’re a hunter, you might be interested in dove hunting in Kansas. Doves are a popular game bird, as they are challenging to shoot and delicious to eat. However, you need to follow some rules and regulations, such as:

• You need a valid hunting license and a HIP permit to hunt doves in Kansas. You can buy them online or at any licensed vendor.
• You need to follow the bag and possession limits, which are 15 and 45 doves per day, respectively. You need to keep the head or one fully feathered wing attached to each dove until you reach your home or a processing facility.
• You need to follow the hunting seasons, which vary by species and zone. The general season for mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared doves is from September 1 to November 29. The early season for Eurasian collared doves is from June 1 to August 31. The late season for Eurasian collared doves is from December 1 to February 28. The season for Inca, common ground, and rock pigeons is open year-round.
• You need to respect the hunting hours, which are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. You need to use a legal firearm, such as a shotgun, muzzleloader, or air rifle. You need to use a non-toxic shot, such as steel, bismuth, or tungsten.
• You need to hunt in legal areas, such as public lands, private lands with permission, or wildlife areas. You need to avoid hunting in prohibited areas, such as federal refuges, state parks, or city limits.

How to Enjoy Doves in Kansas?

Whether you’re a birder, a hunter, or a wildlife lover, you can enjoy doves in Kansas in many ways. You can:

• Watch and listen to the doves in your backyard, in your neighborhood, or in a nearby park. You can use binoculars, a field guide, or an app to identify and learn more about the doves. You can also take photos or record sounds of the doves for your personal collection or to share with others.
• Join a birding club, a hunting club, or a wildlife organization in your area. You can meet other people who share your interest and passion for doves. You can also participate in events, activities, or projects that involve doves, such as bird counts, surveys, or conservation efforts.
• Visit a wildlife area, a nature center, or a museum in Kansas that features doves. You can see live or mounted specimens of doves, as well as exhibits, displays, or programs that educate and entertain you about doves. You can also support the work and mission of these places by donating, volunteering, or becoming a member.

Doves in Kansas are more than just birds. They are a part of the state’s natural and cultural heritage. They are a source of beauty, joy, and inspiration. They are a challenge, a reward, and a delicacy. They are doves in Kansas.

FAQ’s:

1. What are the four species of doves that are native to Kansas?

Kansas is home to several dove species, but four of them are native to the state:

1. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
2. White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
3. Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
4. Common Ground-dove (Columbina passerina)

2. What is the most common species of dove in Kansas?

The most common and widely distributed dove species in Kansas is the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura). Its adaptability to various habitats and abundance of food sources make it a prevalent species across the state.

3. When is the dove hunting season in Kansas?

The dove hunting season in Kansas typically opens in early September and runs through late November. Specific dates may vary each year, so it’s essential to check the current hunting regulations for precise information.

4. What is the limit on turtle doves in Kansas?

The bag limit for turtle doves in Kansas can vary depending on the hunting season and regulations set by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. It’s crucial for hunters to stay updated on the latest regulations to ensure compliance.

5. What are some of the threats facing doves in Kansas?

Doves in Kansas, like many other bird species, face various threats, including:

• Habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture expansion.
• Predation by domestic cats and other animals.
• Environmental factors such as severe weather events.
• Changes in food availability due to agriculture practices.
• Collisions with buildings and vehicles, especially for urban doves like rock doves.

David Cooper