History and Current Status of the Inca Dove (Columbina inca) in Arkansas

Abstract

Formerly a bird of Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States, the Inca Dove ( Columbina inca ) has expanded northward across North America in the past few decades. It first appeared in Arkansas on October 26, 1968 in Saratoga, Howard County. Since then, the statewide range has grown to include at least 36 of 75 counties and is expanding. With the use of Christmas Bird Counts, Breeding Bird Surveys, and 2 citizen science sources, eBird and AR-Birds, we compiled 368 records of the species in the state. Inca Doves were observed year-round in Arkansas and are expanding their range in the state at an average rate of about 1 new county every 7 years and an increase of about 1 new report of the species every year. An overview of its overall range in North America indicates that there is enough data to warrant a redrawing of the range map for the species to include most of Arkansas.