Chile and Peru

The West Peruvian Dove is distributed along the Pacific side of the Andes from south-west Ecuador to northern Chile. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It is found in towns and villages, oases and agricultural areas. Jaramillo notes that it is found from 0 to 1000 metres while HBW says that it is "occasionally found up to 2000 m in Peru." In this respect photo 1 is of interest since it was taken in the small town of Toconao, Chile which lies at a height of about 2500 metres.

West Peruvian Dove was split from White-winged Dove Z. asiatica as recently as 1997. Many authorities refer to it as Pacific Dove. It is certainly not restricted to the west of Peru, indeed it appears to be spreading southwards.

Its most significant feature is the conspicuous blue patch around the eye while in flight it shows large white wing patches which are visible at rest along the edge of the wings.