Caribbean Dove
Leptotila jamaicensis
The Caribbean dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Belize, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_dove
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Columbiformes
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Leptotila
Caribbean Dove belongs to the family Columbidae, order Columbiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The Caribbean dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Belize, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico. It has been introduced to the Bahamas.
The Caribbean Dove faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development across its limited range in Jamaica. Introduced predators, particularly cats and rats, pose additional threats to nesting birds and their eggs. The species' small population size and restricted distribution make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbances.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
The subspecies of the Caribbean dove are found thus: * L. j. collaris - Cayman Islands * L. j. gaumeri - Mexico's northern Yucatán Peninsula, Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, and Cozumel; Belize's Ambergris Caye; Barbareta, Roatán, and Little Hog islands of Honduras * L. j. jamaicensis - Jamaica; introduced to New Providence, Bahamas * L. j. neoxena - Colombia's San Andrés island off eastern Nicaragua...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Caribbean Dove faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban development across its limited range in Jamaica. Introduced predators, particularly cats and rats, pose additional threats to nesting birds and their eggs. The species' small population size and restricted distribution make it extremely vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbances.
Agricultural expansion
Habitat loss and deforestation
Introduced predators (cats and rats)
Small population size and restricted range
Urban development
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Caribbean Dove (Leptotila jamaicensis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/caribbean-dove