White-Winged Dove Biology Overview

White-Winged Dove Biology

• Physical Description: Medium-sized dove (11-12 inches long, 5 ounces). Grayish-brown plumage. Prominent white wing patch. Black cheek patch. Long neck, small head. Grayish-blue bare eye skin, orange-red iris. Pinkish-red feet (brighter during breeding). Juveniles lack black cheek patch, dull reddish-brown feet, smaller head, brown/light orange iris. Pigeon-like bird in the Columbiformes order. Rather heavy-bodied, square-tailed. White wing patch contrasts with black flight feathers.

Distribution and Range

• Breeding Range: Southwestern U.S. to Central America.
• Expansion: Rapid expansion along Gulf Coast (southeastern U.S. to southern Oklahoma); increasing numbers in Texas (historically Rio Grande Valley limited, now expanding rapidly into urban and suburban areas), documented as far north as Amarillo and east to Beaumont.
• Population Increase: Large increase in Central and Upper South Texas populations since 1990. San Antonio holds the largest single US population.
• Migration: Partial migration. Some birds migrate short distances south in winter. Others remain resident or migrate north/east/west to coastal locations. Peak migration in mid-September; adults typically migrate earlier than juveniles, in groups under 50. Migration influenced by food availability and weather. Nest density and nesting success historically highest in climax brush communities, followed by areas near resacas and creeks. Portions of populations in the U.S. and northern Mexico migrate short distances southward. Others are either resident or migrate to northern inland locations or eastward and westward to coastal locations. Peak migration is mid-September.

Reproduction

• Breeding Season: Starts in April-May (migratory) and early-mid March (resident urban populations). Monogamous during breeding season. Both parents incubate eggs.
• Nesting: Choose shaded sites with dense canopy and sparse ground cover. Typical locations: horizontal branches, tree crotches. Nests constructed from small twigs. Nest density and nesting success historically highest in climax brush communities, followed by areas near resacas and creeks. Nest colonies with spacing of at least 10 inches. Male selects and defends territory, female selects nest location.
• Eggs: Usually laid 24 hours apart. Incubation period is 14-15 days. Hatchlings emerge 24 hours apart. Young fledge at 13-18 days.
• Multiple Broods: Common; nests are rebuilt immediately after nest predation or 4-15 days after previous brood fledging.
• Feeding Young: Parents feed young crop milk (milky secretion from crop glands), similar to other Columbids.

Lifespan and Mortality

• Average Lifespan: 1.7 to 2.9 years. Some documented individuals surviving up to 20 years.
• Mortality: High mortality among young birds. Band recovery data indicates disproportionately high mortality among young birds.

Diet and Feeding Habits

• Food Sources: Primarily seeds and fruits (native and cultivated). Examples include panic grass, bristlegrass, sunflower seeds, croton seeds, spurge seeds, brasil, granjeno, coma. Commercial seeds (sunflower, corn, sorghum, milo, wheat) are frequently consumed in agricultural areas.
• Agricultural Importance: Commercial seeds (sunflower, corn, sorghum, milo, wheat) are frequently consumed in agricultural areas.
• Grit: Occasionally ingest grit for digestion aid.
• Elevated Food Sources: Unlike mourning doves, can feed on food sources higher than the ground (seed heads of corn, grain sorghum, sunflowers).

Habitat Preferences

• Cover: Dense mixed woodlands in historical range. Heavy vegetation near waterways, oaks, citrus groves. Urban areas: adapt to large residential shade trees.
• Preference: Heavier cover interspersed with agricultural fields.
• Feeding: Feeds on the ground, but can also feed on elevated food sources.

Water Requirements

• Daily Water: Requires water daily, but often obtains it from moist fruits.
• Drinking Sites: Prefers open areas like ditches, stream banks, sand bars, stock ponds, and troughs. Morning/afternoon are peak drinking times.

Space and Population Management

• Space: Not typically limiting factor except during nesting season.
• Large Populations: Often roost together in towns, flying to local agricultural fields for feeding.
• Vegetation: Brush and trees provide roosting/nesting sites. Agricultural fields/pasture/forbs provide feeding sites.
• Hunting Regulation: Hunting seasons and bag limits (state level, under federal framework determined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service) are major population management factors. Approx. 80% of national harvest occurs in Texas, but only 3-4% of the Texas population is harvested by hunters. Conservation-minded farming practices can provide waste grains for consumption.