Doves and pigeons belong to the biological family Columbidae, which consists of over 350 species found across the globe. These stout-bodied birds are recognized by their small heads, short necks, and characteristic cooing calls. The longevity of these species is highly variable, determined by a complex interplay of genetics and environment. On a broad scale, doves typically live for only a few years in their natural habitat, but can survive for 10 to 20 years or more under human care.
Lifespan in the Wild vs. Captivity
The difference in life expectancy between doves in the wild and those in captivity is dramatic, often shifting from a matter of years to a matter of decades. For many common species like the Mourning Dove, the average lifespan is shockingly short, often ranging from only one to five years.
By contrast, the lifespan of a dove in a protected, captive setting is significantly extended due to the removal of nearly all external pressures. An average captive dove can live between 10 and 20 years, with some individuals surpassing the 25-year mark. They benefit from a consistent, balanced diet, the complete absence of natural predators, and prompt veterinary care for injuries or diseases.
The immense disparity is underscored by banding data, which shows that a wild Mourning Dove has a slim chance of surviving more than a couple of years, yet the oldest recorded individual lived to be over 30 years old in a protected environment. This exceptional case reveals the species’ inherent capacity for a long life that is almost universally cut short in the wild.
Lifespan Differences Across Common Species
Beyond the environmental factors, the inherent biology of different dove species dictates their maximum potential lifespan. Species like the familiar Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura), which is generally smaller and more slender, tend to have a shorter biological maximum lifespan compared to larger relatives.
The Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), for example, is slightly larger and has a documented potential to live up to 20 years in captivity. This contrasts with the smaller Mourning Dove, whose average lifespan is much shorter but whose maximum recorded age is one of the longest among small North American birds. Meanwhile, the Rock Dove (Columba livia), commonly known as the feral pigeon, is a robust species whose captive lifespan often falls in the 15 to 20-year range. These species-specific differences are often tied to metabolic rate and body mass, with larger birds often possessing biological mechanisms that allow for a longer potential life.
Major Factors Influencing Dove Longevity
The primary reason for the short average lifespan of wild doves is the constant exposure to external pressures that result in high mortality rates. Predation is a significant threat, as doves are a common target for raptors like falcons and hawks, as well as terrestrial hunters such as domestic and feral cats, raccoons, and foxes. The doves’ habit of feeding on open ground makes them particularly vulnerable to surprise attacks from above and on the surface.
Disease and parasites also play a substantial role in reducing a dove’s lifespan, with infections like Trichomoniasis (canker) being a common and devastating cause of death. This parasitic disease can quickly impede a bird’s ability to eat and drink, leading to rapid decline.
Furthermore, doves are susceptible to environmental contaminants, such as lead poisoning, which they can ingest while foraging for seeds and grit on the ground in areas contaminated by spent ammunition. Other non-biological factors, including resource scarcity and human-made hazards, further compound the risks. Finding consistent sources of food and water can become a daily challenge, and starvation increases the death toll, especially during harsh winters or droughts. Finally, environmental hazards like collisions with vehicles or glass windows and exposure to severe weather events are frequent, unavoidable dangers that contribute to the low annual survival rate of doves in the wild.