Dove and hummingbird are two common types of birds that can be found in many parts of the world. Both birds have unique characteristics and play important roles in nature. But when it comes to deciding which is “better,” there are a few key factors to consider.
In this article, we will compare doves and hummingbirds across different categories to help determine which bird has an edge over the other. We will look at physical traits, behavior, symbolism, and more. By the end, you should have a good sense of whether dove or hummingbird is the superior bird overall.
Physical Characteristics
Let’s start by examining some of the physical traits and capabilities of doves and hummingbirds.
Size
Doves are generally larger than hummingbirds. A typical dove ranges from 9-13 inches in length. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, ranging from 2-8 inches in length. So doves have the size advantage.
Colors
Hummingbirds win when it comes to vibrant, flashy colors. They come in shimmering jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby. Doves are much more modestly colored, usually in subtle grays, browns, tans, or white. The dazzling colors of the hummingbird are definitely more eye-catching.
Speed
Hummingbirds are remarkably fast, beating their wings up to 70 times per second. This allows them to hover in place and fly backwards or upside down. Doves don’t have that kind of speed or aerial agility. Point for hummingbird.
Endurance
While hummingbirds are faster in short bursts, doves have greater stamina for long distance flight. Doves can stay aloft for hours, even days, on their migratory journeys of thousands of miles. Hummingbirds tire much more quickly over great distances. So doves take the prize for endurance.
Uniqueness
Hummingbirds have very unique features for birds. As the only birds that can fly backwards and hover, they stand out from all other avian species. Doves’ physical traits are not as distinctly unique. This uniqueness gives hummingbirds an advantage.
Behavior
The behavior of these species also differs in important ways.
Food
Hummingbirds sip nectar from flowers. Their long beaks and extendable tongues are perfectly adapted to accessing nectar. Doves are seed eaters, using their short, thick beaks to crack open nuts and seeds. So each species is highly adapted to its different diet.
Migration
Some doves are migratory, traveling huge distances every year between breeding and wintering grounds. Hummingbirds also migrate depending on the species, but their small size limits how far they can travel. Overall, doves migrate farther distances.
Aerial Displays
During courtship, hummingbirds perform dazzling aerial displays, flying in loops and dive-bombing each other. Doves do not have elaborate aerial courtship rituals. The hummingbird’s flashy skills give it an edge.
Nesting
Doves build simple stick nests that are rather fragile. Hummingbirds build tiny but sturdy nests out of spiderwebs, moss, and lichen that expand with the growing chicks. Both build on branches, but hummingbird nests are more complex and robust.
Tameness
Doves tend to be comfortable around humans. Many species readily congregate in parks and populated areas. Hummingbirds are typically shy and avoid human interaction. Doves’ greater tameness gives them an advantage.
Symbolism
Across cultures, doves represent peace, love, fidelity, hope, spirit, and new beginnings. Hummingbirds also symbolize joy, beauty, and lightness. However, the dove’s symbolism is more significant and long-standing. This gives them an edge.
Intelligence
Studies comparing bird intelligence have found that doves rank among the most intelligent bird species, while hummingbirds are toward the lower end of the spectrum. So doves appear to have greater reasoning abilities.
Role in the Ecosystem
Both birds play important functional roles in their environments.
Pollination
Hummingbirds are essential pollinators of many flowering plants. As they collect nectar, pollen sticks to their beaks and heads and then gets transferred to other blossoms. Doves do not significantly contribute to pollination. This is a big advantage for hummingbirds.
Seed Dispersal
Doves play a major role in dispersing seeds from fruits and plants they eat. The seeds pass through their digestive systems and are excreted intact, allowing new plants to sprout far from the parent. Hummingbirds do not significantly disperse seeds. Point for doves.
Guano Fertilization
Both birds contribute nutrient-rich guano droppings that fertilize vegetation and water sources. Doves roost in large flocks, concentrating their droppings. But hummingbirds contribute across wider territories. Overall, both provide important fertilization benefits.
Human Interaction
People interact with doves and hummingbirds in different ways.
Pets
Neither doves nor hummingbirds make good pets. Doves can be bred in captivity but are not very affectionate or interactive. Hummingbirds are extremely challenging to keep in captivity. Overall, neither bird fares well as a traditional pet.
Symbolism in Culture
As covered earlier, doves have very significant cultural symbolism across religions, legends, art, and literature. Hummingbirds have some cultural symbolism but far less than doves.
Birdwatching
Hummingbirds’ unique flying abilities and dazzling colors make them extremely popular among birdwatchers. Doves attract less excitement since they are so common. Hummingbirds are preferred for birdwatching.
Pest Factor
Abundant dove populations in urban areas are often viewed as pests because of the large amounts of droppings they produce. Hummingbirds are almost never considered pests. Doves’ pest factor works against them.
| Category | Dove | Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Colors | Subdued | Jewel-toned |
| Speed | Moderate | Very fast |
| Endurance | High | Low |
| Uniqueness | Typical bird traits | Many unique traits |
| Food | Seeds | Nectar |
| Migration | Long distances | Short distances |
| Aerial Displays | Basic | Elaborate |
| Nesting | Fragile stick nests | Sturdy woven nests |
| Tameness | Very tame | Shy |
| Symbolism | Extensive cultural symbolism | Some cultural symbolism |
| Intelligence | Among most intelligent birds | Lower bird IQ |
| Pollination | Minor role | Major pollinator |
| Seed Dispersal | Major role | Minor role |
| Guano Fertilization | Significant benefit | Significant benefit |
| Suitability as Pet | Poor pet quality | Extremely challenging to keep |
| Cultural Symbolism | Deep symbolic meaning | Some symbolic meaning |
| Birdwatching Popularity | Moderate popularity | Extremely popular |
| Pest Factor | Can be considered pests | Never pests |
Conclusion
Both doves and hummingbirds have amazing and unique qualities. When comparing them directly across a range of categories, each comes out ahead in certain areas.
Doves excel in categories like:
– Size
– Endurance
– Tameness
– Cultural symbolism
– Seed dispersal
– Intelligence
Hummingbirds excel in areas like:
– Colors
– Speed and agility
– Uniqueness
– Aerial displays
– Nest building
– Pollination
– Birdwatching popularity
Neither bird makes a very good pet. And both play important roles in fertilizing vegetation.
Overall, it is difficult to declare one bird completely “better” than the other. Each has evolved remarkable adaptations for its way of life. Appreciating the special qualities of both doves and hummingbirds allows us to admire the diversity of the natural world. Their differences highlight their complementary roles in the ecosystem. Rather than ranking them, we should strive to protect and coexist peacefully with these amazing avian species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are doves more common than hummingbirds?
Yes, doves are generally more abundant and widespread than hummingbirds. There are over 300 species of doves that live on every continent except Antarctica. Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas, with around 340 species. Due to their smaller size and more specific habitat needs, hummingbirds have a smaller global population than doves.
What colors are doves?
Doves exhibit muted, subtle colors like grays, tans, browns, and soft whites. Some species may show accents of richer colors like greens, reds, or blues on certain feathers, but overall they display a modest white, beige, gray, or brown plumage unlike the flashy brilliant colors of hummingbirds.
Do doves migrate? How far?
Certain dove species, like the mourning dove, are partially migratory. They may migrate south for the winter, but not nearly as far as the distances covered by fully migratory doves. For example, Eurasian collared-doves may migrate from breeding grounds in Asia to wintering grounds in southern Europe. Band-tailed pigeons migrate all the way from Canada to South America. These long-distance migratory doves can travel thousands of miles between continents each year.
What do hummingbirds eat besides nectar?
While nectar is their main food source, hummingbirds also eat small insects for essential protein. They capture insects midair or pick them off vegetation. Some species may also supplement their diet by consuming tree sap or pollen. The nectar gives them energy, but insects and other foods provide nutrients the nectar lacks.
Which is more intelligent, doves or hummingbirds?
Scientific testing indicates doves are among the most intelligent and cognitively capable birds. Their reasoning skills and problem-solving abilities outperform most avian species. Hummingbirds rank lower in bird intelligence based on their brain structure and capacity. While intelligent in their own right, hummingbirds seem to fall short of doves’ advanced cognitive abilities.
Can you keep a dove or hummingbird as a pet?
Neither doves nor hummingbirds make good pets for beginners. Doves can be bred in captivity and hand-raised but require large aviaries and special care. Hummingbirds are extremely challenging to keep healthy in captivity since they need very specialized diets and housing. Additionally, capturing wild hummers or doves to keep as pets is illegal and highly unethical. It’s best to enjoy observing both species in nature.
How fast does a hummingbird beat its wings?
A hummingbird’s wings beat incredibly fast, up to 70 times per second. This allows them to hover midair, fly backwards or upside down, and reach top speeds around 30 mph. The rapid wing-flapping creates the distinctive humming sound. No other bird’s wings can match the blur of a hummingbird’s in motion.
How many eggs does a dove lay?
The clutch size varies by species, but most doves lay just two eggs per breeding attempt. Mourning doves specifically lay two white eggs per clutch. Doves may produce multiple clutches over the course of a breeding season. Both parents share nesting and parenting duties. The eggs hatch after about two weeks.
Which bird species is larger, doves or pigeons?
Pigeons are larger than doves. Doves range in size from about 9 to 13 inches long. Pigeons are typically over 13 inches long, with heavier bodies and beaks. Rock pigeons are a common example of a large pigeon species. However, there is no taxonomic difference between the two groups – both are classified in the same bird family Columbidae. “Dove” and “pigeon” are casual labels used to describe smaller versus larger species in this family.
Do doves form long-term pair bonds?
Many dove species form monogamous pair bonds that can last for multiple breeding seasons or for life. Mourning doves exhibit this loyal pairing behavior. Males display and vocalize to attract a mate, then both parents work together to raise young in successive nestings. Other doves may simply find a new mate each season rather than establishing a lasting pair bond.
