Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Spotted Dove

ColumbidaeGeneralistsStreptopelia chinensis

Spotted Dove has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-74%Since 1971
15Routes
29Years Surveyed

About the Spotted Dove

The Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) is a North American member of the Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the generalists.

Size
6–14.5 in long (15–37 cm) — a plump-bodied bird (typical for the family)
Habitat
A broad range of open and wooded habitats, often near people.
Diet
An opportunistic mix of insects, seeds, fruit and scraps.
Range
Recorded on 15 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 1 state, most concentrated in the Coastal California.
Family
Columbidae · Generalists

Notable Spotted Dove Trends

No notable trend signals for Spotted Dove. See the full index history below.

Spotted Dove Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Spotted Dove is projected to stay roughly flat through 2022, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.03). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±2772.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2022
0.00Projected 2022 index
0.000.0395% range
±2772.2%Backtest error
19682022
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20180.000.000.03
20190.000.000.03
20200.000.000.03
20210.000.000.03
20220.000.000.03

Where the Spotted Dove Is Detected

BBS routes recording Spotted Dove, sized by most recent count.

Spotted Dove Population Trend by State

Spotted Dove population trend by state.
California-86%197115

Spotted Dove Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Spotted Dove population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
Coastal California-82%197113

Spotted Dove Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it down about 74% since 1971.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.