Their feathers have a scaled look to them that encompasses their entire body, unlike other semi-scaled birds such as the California Quail. Their soft call and mild manners makes them a pleasant addition to the typical batch of Southwestern birds one might see making a ruckus about the feeders, and they're certainly my favorite dove.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU53nKyUvOOLTRfHx1ATkbRdcQIukX66sGKYpwrzjXz7HE47_X6V_Mabki_j1InOkwRyedb37iPsCU9sC4Z5NTdLwBcnttIJ9AUG2wun1MJulj1HrK1vzWneATnbVFgHwJIYYs-NDOBbZu/s640/DSC09966.jpg)
I like their eyes. Unlike other, larger doves who seem to always have that vacant stare, the Inca Dove eyes seem to have a slight glimmer of kindness and gentleness behind them. With their gray dimpled plumage and endearing politeness, these are grandma birds if there is such a thing.
I found this nice pair at the Gilbert Water Ranch on Saturday. They were being very cozy-cuddly and didn't seem to mind the interlopers as they scratched and stretched away the remnants of their afternoon nap.