Why millions of eared doves in Argentina are thriving despite massive hunting pressure

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The eared dove is a resilient South American bird that has adapted to human expansion with startling success. While hunting on a massive scale recalls the tragic fate of the extinct passenger pigeon, these doves continue to flourish, darkening the skies and turning agricultural landscapes into their own private buffet.

The eared dove, Zenaida auriculata, is a widespread resident across South America, ranging from Colombia to the southern reaches of Argentina and Chile. Measuring about 24 cm in length, the species is easily identified by the distinct black markings on its lower ear coverts. It shares a close evolutionary lineage with the North American mourning dove, forming a superspecies that includes the Socorro and Galápagos doves. Unlike many birds, the eared dove shows remarkable flexibility in its breeding habits; in areas with abundant food, it may reproduce almost continuously throughout the year, with eggs hatching in 12 to 14 days and fledglings leaving the nest just 9 days later.

The species has become a master of human-altered environments, frequently seen in urban spaces and near agricultural developments. Its diet consists primarily of seeds and grains, making it a significant pest for farmers growing wheat, rice, sorghum, maize, and soybeans. This reliance on commercial agriculture has fueled a population explosion in regions like Córdoba, Argentina. In these areas, the birds do not migrate but instead commute constantly between roosting sites and expansive grain fields. This abundance has created a unique sporting industry, where luxury lodges cater to hunters who may take thousands of birds in a single day.

While the scale of this hunting evokes comparisons to the 19th-century slaughter of the passenger pigeon, the eared dove has proven far more robust. In places like Bolivia, the species was considered rare only a few decades ago, but the creation of massive soy and sorghum plantations has triggered a dramatic increase in numbers. The birds are highly gregarious, forming enormous flocks that can literally darken the sky. Their ability to thrive on both wild grasses and human-grown crops, combined with a high reproductive rate, suggests that the species is currently well-equipped to withstand intense human pressure, turning commercial farmland into a permanent, high-density habitat.

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