White-winged doves are a species of dove native to the southern United States and Mexico. Their scientific name is Zenaida asiatica. They are medium-sized doves with pale gray feathers on their head, back, and wings and white edged feathers on their wings, which gives them their name.
White-winged doves are not currently considered a rare or endangered species. However, their populations have declined in some areas due to habitat loss and hunting pressures. They are considered a game species and are legally hunted in many U.S. states during specific hunting seasons. Their populations can fluctuate from year to year depending on breeding conditions and other environmental factors. Overall, white-winged doves remain relatively abundant across their range, but local populations may be vulnerable in places where habitats have been degraded.
What is the range of white-winged doves?
White-winged doves are found across the southern United States from California to Florida. Their breeding range centers around Texas and stretches north into Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and southern Kansas. White-winged doves also breed in northern Mexico and populations from Mexico migrate north into the south-central and southeastern U.S. for the summer.
The species is partially migratory. Northern populations migrate south to Mexico for the winter, while some southern populations in Texas and Mexico are year-round residents. White-winged doves are rare vagrants outside of their normal range and have been spotted as far north as Canada on rare occasions.
What kind of habitat do white-winged doves occupy?
White-winged doves inhabit open woodlands, riparian corridors, desert scrub, agricultural fields, and urban and suburban areas. They are found in a variety of habitats across their large geographic range.
During the breeding season, white-winged doves nest in trees and shrubs along streams and rivers, preferring habitats with a mix of trees, brushy thickets, and open areas. They build a flimsy platform nest out of twigs and stems in a tree or shrub from 3 to 20 feet above ground.
Outside of the breeding season, white-winged doves frequent agricultural areas such as croplands, pastures, and feedlots. They also visit backyard bird feeders in residential areas. Access to water sources like ponds, irrigated fields, and bird baths is important habitat for this species.
What do white-winged doves eat?
White-winged doves are primarily granivorous, feeding on a variety of seeds and grains. Their diet consists of seeds from native vegetation like croton and sunflower as well as agricultural grains such as corn, wheat, milo, and rice.
They supplement seeds with some berries and fruits. Common fruit food sources include hackberries, black cherry, elm, Russian olive, mesquite, catclaw, and more. White-winged doves have also been observed eating prickly pear cactus fruits and juniper berries.
The doves forage for food on the ground or in trees and shrubs. They have a strong ability to digest and utilize tiny seeds that other bird species cannot. White-winged doves need access to surface water daily and will fly long distances to find it.
Populations and Conservation Status
The global population of white-winged doves is estimated to be 5 million breeding adults. In the United States, an annual survey called the Mourning Dove Breeding Population and Habitat Survey monitors mourning doves and white-winged doves together, without distinguishing between the two species.
The survey estimated the combined mourning and white-winged dove population in the U.S. at about 253 million in 2021. Only a small fraction of those were likely white-winged doves. A separate estimate put the U.S. white-winged dove population at 4 to 5 million, mostly centered in Texas.
Population trends
White-winged dove populations are generally thought to be stable or slightly increasing across most of their range. However, localized declines have occurred in places like California and Arizona where habitat loss has been most severe.
The annual mourning dove survey showed an average nationwide population increase of 0.5% per year from 1967 to 2019. Trends were stable to increasing across most states in the white-winged dove’s range. Only California and Arizona showed significant long-term declines.
In the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, one of the densest breeding populations, white-winged dove numbers have fluctuated over the decades but increased overall between the 1960s and early 2000s. However, surveys show declines in south Texas since the 2000s.
Are white-winged doves rare?
White-winged doves remain relatively abundant across most of their range and are not currently considered globally threatened or endangered. However, localized populations have declined and could be considered rare in places like California and Arizona.
The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to its large range and population. White-winged doves are also protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in both the U.S. and Mexico, which helps regulate hunting and nest destruction.
So in summary, white-winged doves are uncommon to rare at the edges of their range in the U.S., but are still fairly common in Texas and Mexico, which is the core of their range. Local populations warrant monitoring and conservation, but the species as a whole appears secure for now.
Threats and conservation challenges
Habitat loss and degradation are the biggest threats facing white-winged dove populations. Clearing of forests and woodlands for agriculture and development has reduced nesting habitat in many areas, especially in California.
Droughts and reduced water availability at desert oases, rivers, and streams also impact white-winged doves. Climate change may exacerbate drought conditions in the future.
Overhunting is another challenge in some regions. White-winged doves are legally hunted as game birds, with yearly limits and seasons enforced by state wildlife agencies. Illegal shooting is also a problem in Mexico. Careful monitoring and management of harvest levels is important for hunting sustainability.
Collisions with buildings, towers, and wind turbines are increasing sources of mortality as human infrastructure expands into dove habitat. The use of pesticides reduces food availability and causes some poisoning. Nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds lowers nest productivity in some locations.
Ongoing conservation programs aim to set aside protected wildlife areas, restore native habitats, manage hunting sustainably, restrict pesticide uses, and reduce building collisions through improved designs and placements.
Comparison to Other Dove Species
How do white-winged doves compare to mourning doves?
The white-winged dove and mourning dove occupy overlapping ranges across the southern U.S. They are easy to distinguish by sight and sound. Some key differences:
- Size: White-winged doves are larger and chunkier with a thicker bill and higher body mass.
- Plumage: White-winged doves have pale gray heads, an iridescent pinkish patch on the wings, and bold white wing edges. Mourning doves are light brown overall with black spots on the wings.
- Voice: White-winged doves have louder, higher-pitched coos compared to the mellow cooing of mourning doves.
- Habitat: White-winged doves occupy riparian areas and open woodlands more than mourning doves, which prefer open country.
- Migration: White-winged doves are partially migratory, while most mourning doves only make shorter distance movements.
- Diet: White-winged doves eat larger seeds than mourning doves and digest them more efficiently.
- Abundance: Mourning doves are far more numerous and widespread in North America than white-winged doves.
The two species overlap significantly in their ranges and habitat use, but occupy somewhat different ecological niches. Hybridization occasionally occurs where their ranges meet but is uncommon.
How do white-winged doves compare to Eurasian collared doves?
Eurasian collared doves are an invasive species originally from Asia that have colonized North America in recent decades. They now overlap extensively with white-winged doves, but the two species have key differences:
- Origin: Eurasian collared doves are exotic-invasive while white-winged doves are native.
- Size: Eurasian collared doves are slightly smaller than white-winged doves.
- Plumage: Eurasian collared doves have a black half-collar on the neck with a pale gray body; white-winged doves have a pink wing patch and white wing edges.
- Diet: Eurasian collared doves are more omnivorous while white-winged doves specialize on seeds.
- Habitat: Eurasian collared doves utilize more urban and suburban habitats than white-winged doves.
- Abundance: Eurasian collared doves have experienced a rapid population boom since the 1980s when white-winged doves were already common.
The similarities in appearance and ecological roles have caused some conflicts between the species. But collared doves generally utilize more open habitats than white-winged doves.
Hunting and Regulations
Are white-winged doves hunted?
Yes, white-winged doves are legally hunted as game birds in most U.S. states where they occur. They are valued by hunters for their large size, sporting flight behavior, and excellent meat compared to other doves.
Most hunting occurs during the fall migration and wintering months. The regulations and hunting seasons vary by state but generally run from September through January. Limits range from 10-15 white-winged doves per day in most states with a possession limit of twice the daily bag limit.
What are the hunting regulations for white-winged doves by state?
Here is an overview of white-winged dove hunting seasons and bag limits for some of the main states in the species’ range:
State | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
---|---|---|
Texas | Mid-Sept to mid-Oct | 15 |
Oklahoma | Sept to Oct | 12 |
New Mexico | Early Sept to late Oct | 10 |
Arizona | Mid-Sept to early Oct | 10 |
California | Early Sept to mid-Oct | 10 |
Most states require a small game hunting license and a migratory bird stamp to hunt white-winged doves. Shooting hours are generally from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset during the dove season. There are also restrictions on hunting methods and shot sizes that can be used.
How is white-winged dove hunting regulated and monitored?
Hunting of white-winged doves is regulated under the migratory bird frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies. Monitoring programs help track annual population sizes and trends to set appropriate hunting rules.
Key aspects of white-winged dove hunting regulations include:
- Season timing – opening and closing dates set based on breeding cycles and migration patterns.
- Bag limits – daily limit and possession limit on number of birds.
- Zone/tier regulations – differentiated regulations in some states based on population densities.
- Annual limits – restrictions on total number of white-winged doves per hunter statewide.
- Restrictions on method – prohibitions on baiting, electronic calls, unplugged shotguns, etc.
- Reporting requirements – activity logbooks and harvest reporting in some states.
Scientists use data on hunter participation rates, reported harvest numbers, and annual population surveys to assess the impacts of hunting mortality and adjust regulations accordingly. Increased monitoring helps ensure sustainability of white-winged dove populations that are hunted.
Growth in Texas
The Lone Star State of Texas is prime habitat for white-winged doves and holds a significant portion of their total population. Over the last several decades, white-winged dove numbers have grown substantially in Texas due to ample food sources and habitat programs.
What is the white-winged dove population in Texas?
Texas contains the densest breeding population of white-winged doves in the United States. Current estimates put the Lone Star State’s white-winged dove population at 4 to 5 million total individuals.
This represents around 80-90% of the estimated U.S. white-winged dove population and a significant fraction of the global population. The vast majority of the doves in Texas are local nesting birds rather than migrants from Mexico.
White-winged doves can be found statewide in Texas but are most abundant in the southern and central regions of the state. Five counties in southern Texas – Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, Brooks, and Kenedy – contain an estimated 1.5 million breeding white-winged doves alone.
Why has the white-winged dove population increased in Texas?
Several factors have contributed to white-winged doves thriving in Texas:
- Ideal climate – Texas provides the arid subtropical climate preferred by white-winged doves.
- Extensive habitat – Brushlands, riparian areas, croplands, and rangelands supply food, water and nest sites.
- Supplemental feeding – Widespread bird feeding by people provides additional food sources.
- Habitat management – Conservation programs enhance nesting and roosting habitats.
- Abundant food – Massive grain sorghum, corn, and rice crops offer plentiful seed food.
- Reduced pesticides – Less use of harmful pesticides like DDT than in previous decades.
Texas balances open agriculture with native brush habitat preferred by white-winged doves. Conservation efforts and changing agricultural practices in the state have created favorable habitat for these doves in recent decades.
What conservation programs help white-winged doves in Texas?
Several conservation initiatives in Texas have benefited white-winged doves:
- The Managed Lands Deer Program encourages landowners to maintain brushy nesting and roosting habitat.
- The Landowner Incentive Program pays landowners to enact beneficial land management practices for doves and other species.
- Brush control programs that leave strips and motts help maintain habitat while allowing farming.
- Wetland restoration and stock pond building provides needed water sources.
- The Federal Conservation Reserve Program pays farmers to take highly erodible croplands out of production which benefits doves.
These and other programs provide financial incentives to private landowners to voluntarily manage their properties in wildlife-friendly ways. This approach has helped make Texas one of the most white-winged dove-friendly states over the past 50 years.
Conclusion
In summary, white-winged doves remain common across most of their range and are not currently a globally threatened species. However, habitat loss and overhunting pose risks to local populations in places like California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Ongoing conservation and monitoring efforts are needed to detect and respond to any new declines.
Texas shows how agricultural landscapes can be managed in sustainable ways to benefit white-winged dove populations through both public and private initiatives. The mourning dove and white-winged dove as a whole represent a North American conservation success story, providing abundant opportunities for both wildlife enthusiasts and hunters to enjoy this native game bird. With proactive habitat protection and population monitoring, healthy white-winged dove numbers can continue across the southern U.S. and Mexico.