The Caribbean dove (Leptotila jamaicensis ) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Belize, the Cayman Islands, Colombia (San Andrés island), Honduras (Bay Islands), Jamaica, and Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula). It has been introduced to the Bahamas.
The Caribbean dove is 29 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in) long and weighs 117 to 190 g (4.1 to 6.7 oz). The adult male of the nominate subspecies has a white forehead, face, and throat; a gray hindcrown; and an iridescent purple nape. The mantle and the sides of the neck are rosy red with an iridescent green and/or purple gloss. The entire underparts are white. The upperparts are olive-brown with a white band showing in front of the folded wing. The tail's inner feathers are grayish brown and the outer ones black with white tips. The eye is white or white with a red ring and is surrounded by bare dull purple skin. The legs and feet are red. The female is similar to the male but with duller iridescence. Juveniles are similar to the adults but duller and many feathers have reddish edges.
L. j. collaris is similar to the nominate subspecies but is smaller on average. L. j. gaumeri is slightly smaller than the nominate; its upperparts' olive cast is darker, the breast has a reddish cast, and the iridescence is less bright. L. j. neoxena is intermediate in size and color between the nominate and L. j. gaumeri.
The subspecies of the Caribbean dove are found thus:
In most of its range, the Caribbean dove inhabits semi-arid lowlands, with a preference for areas with some shrub or tree cover. In Jamaica, it inhabits dry limestone forest, especially foothills secondary forest, and is found as high as 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in the Blue Mountains.
The Caribbean dove forages on the ground. In Jamaica, it has been documented feeding on seeds and small snails.
The Caribbean dove's breeding season spans from March to May. It usually places its nest low to the ground in a tree or shrub, but has nested higher and on the ground. Its usual clutch is two eggs.
The IUCN has assessed the Caribbean dove as being of Least Concern. Though it is uncommon on several of the smaller islands in its range, it is locally common in Jamaica and common on the Yucatán Peninsula.
