Common Name: Galapagos Dove
Scientific Name: Zenaida galapagoensis

Distribution: Endemic to the Galapagos, where it can be found on of all of the islands within the archipelago.

Biology: The Galapagos Dove is a small, primarily terrestrial, columbiform species, and a distinctive species of the Galapagos Archipelago. It can be found in most of the island habitats, but are especially capable of getting the most out of the dry scrubland in the lowlands. The species mainly feeds on seeds, but are quite opportunistic in it feeding habits; it have been know to forage for invertebrates as well as nectar and pollen from the achiapelago’s the many cacti species. Despite its small size, the Galapagos Dove is a very conspicuous and active species, which is quite social - it can often be found in pairs or small groups, where interactions, like display, fighting and joint foraging, between the individuals are common.
The Galapagos Dove is, like other Galapagos wildlife, very tame, and their lively and entertaining behaviour can therefore easily be observed up close.

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Being an island endemic the Galapagos Dove is vulnarable to the introduction of foreign predators and diseases. It is rare on some islands where both of these threats commonly exists. The population suffered a great decrease follow the colonisation of the archipelago, since it was easily caught due to its tameness.
However, the species occurs relatively frequent on most of the islands, and can be common on some of the uninhabited islands, like Espanola.
The Galapagos Dove is also a hardy and adaptable species, and very capable of utilising the resources of its island environment, which spells well for its future.