The Dovekie is the smallest alcid in the Atlantic, barely the size of a starling, yet it winters in enormous numbers on the open North Atlantic ocean — the world population is estimated at over 30 million birds. It flies with rapid, whirring wingbeats and dives to catch tiny crustaceans and small fish. In rare 'wrecks' during North Atlantic storms, exhausted birds are blown far inland.
Best time to see a Dovekie
The best time to see a Dovekie is June–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 106,330 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Dovekie? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Dovekie sightings near you
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