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White-winged Doves are important pollinators and seed dispersers for
the giant saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert.
White-winged Doves roost together in large groups.
Although the White-winged Dove is mostly resident in the Southwest, it
is expanding its range, and individuals can be found far afield. Concentration
of human habitation in urban areas, supplemental fossil-fuel heat sources,
absorption and radiation of solar energy from asphalt and concrete, and
backyard bird feeding may account for expansion up to 650 km north of
nineteenth-century range. White-winged Doves have been seen from Alaska
to Ontario, Maine, Newfoundland, and most places inbetween.
Draws water into esophagus by creating air-pressure differential. Does
not lift or tilt head. Requires water on regular basis in driest and hottest
environments, but can satisfy some or all of its water requirements by
eating moist fruit. Prefers to drink in open areas, such as bare ditch
or stream banks, sand or gravel bars, stock ponds or troughs. Peak drinking
times are morning and late afternoon.
Male selects and defends territory and general nesting site. Female selects
specific nest location within territory. Male and female approach nest
site together. Female remains while male leaves to gather nest material.
Male returns periodically with 1 or 2 twigs and offers them to female.
Female accepts and places material. While awaiting return of male, female
may rearrange material, shape nest with her body, or preen. While searching
for materials, male may pick up and investigate many twigs before selecting
one to take to female.
Adults known to make daily flights to water of >16 km during incubation.
Fledglings remain together and within their territory around 14 days
after fledging. After 7 days out of nest, capable of strong flight and
wandering into neighboring territories. Fed by parents for >1 mo, although
capable of feeding itself at around 3 weeks. Young in feeding groups on
ground observed running to adult and begging, with mouth open and wings
slightly spread. Joins feeding flights by 14 days.
Fledglings play by crouching on ground, appearing to hide. Also carry
and play with small twigs in bill
Performs broken-wing display to lead predators away from nest. Responds
to predators primarily by flying into cover.
Sunbathes by crouching low to ground, leaning to one side, spreading
wing on opposite side, rising and repeating on other side. Captive birds
behave likewise; also observed lowering both wings and raising feathers
on back, exposing entire back. Large flocks roost together in dense thickets.
Feeds at bird feeders with other species. Can be found foraging with other
dove species. Often nests near other columbids.
When nesting activity ceases in early August, White-winged Doves gradually
form increasingly larger flocks. This is coupled with a general northward
postnesting movement. Flocks form daily feeding flights between roosts
and feeding site up to 64 km away. May abandon breeding territories and
establish roosts nearer food sources. Once a local feeding flight is established,
morning and evening movement between roost and feeding sites become predictable
and usually continue until migration. Food availability, local weather
events, and hunting pressure may stimulate shifts in feeding flights.
White-winged Dove hunting has long been a popular sport in Texas and
Arizona. White-winged Dove, along with Mourning and White-tipped doves,
may also be hunted during the regular statewide dove season, which encompasses
60-70 days during the autumn and winter.
Longest reported life span of a wild White-winged Dove, derived from
band-recovery records, was 21 yr 9 months.
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