How long do Inca doves live?
The oldest Inca Dove on record lived to 13.3 years, a record from a bird in captivity. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild Inca doves live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 13.3 years
- Record from
- Bird in captivity
- Eggs per clutch
- 2 eggs
- Broods per year
- Up to 5 per season
- Size
- 7.5–9.1 in, 1.1–2 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 6 of 6
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Inca Dove can survive to, not what most do. This one comes from captivity, where there are no predators, storms or food shortages, so wild Inca doves rarely come close.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
How Inca doves compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other pigeons and doves on this site.
- Rock Pigeon35 years
- Mourning Dove31.3 years
- White-winged Dove25 years
- Band-tailed Pigeon18.5 years
- Eurasian Collared-Dove17.9 years
More about Inca doves
Frequently asked
How long do Inca doves live?
The longest-lived Inca Dove on record reached 13.3 years, recorded from a bird in captivity. Most wild Inca doves live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
What is the oldest Inca Dove ever recorded?
13.3 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Inca Dove raise in a year?
Pairs lay 2 eggs and raise Up to 5 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "small". genomics.senescence.info