white-winged dove

Zenaida asiatica

Description:

The White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is a dove whose native range extends from the south-western USA through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It has also been introduced to Florida. The White-winged Dove is expanding outside of its historic range into Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and northern New Mexico. Unlike most of the White-winged Doves in Texas, the doves in these regions do not migrate in winter. White-winged Doves are large, chunky pigeons at 29 cm. They are brownish-gray above and gray below, with a bold white wing patch that appears as a brilliant white crescent in flight and is also visible at rest. Adults have a patch of blue, featherless skin around each eye and a long, dark mark on the lower face. Their eyes are bright crimson. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are more brown than adults. They have no blue eye ring and their legs and feet are brighter pink/red. Young also have brown eyes. Males have a slight iridescent sheen on their heads. The cooing calls are who-cooks-for-you and hoo hoo hoo. A drawn-out "hoo-a" sound is used to tell others about the presence of a predator. Males circle females while holding up tail to display. Males and females work together in raising the young. While calling, the tail flares. Familes and nestmates often stay together for life, perching and foraging together. White-winged Doves feed on a variety of seeds, grains, and fruits.

Habitat:

These birds hang around my backyard for sunflower seeds everyday. Most populations of White-winged Doves are migratory, wintering in Mexico and Central America. The White-winged Dove inhabits scrub, woodlands, desert, urban, and cultivated areas. It builds a flimsy stick nest in a tree of any kind and lays two cream-colored to white, unmarked eggs. One chick often hatches stronger, and will demand the most food from the parents