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White-winged Dove
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(Zenaida asiatica) |
The white-winged dove is an overall brownish-gray with blackish wings that have a wide diagonal white bar and rounded tail which also has whitish corners noticeable in flight. This bird’s hefty size and rounded off tail give it the appearance of being half dove and half pigeon, measuring in at 12 inches."White-wings" inhabit the more arid regions throughout southern North America. They are migratory, and spend the cooler months in southern Mexico or Central America, where they form mated pairs. The white-winged dove feeds on a variety of seeds and fruit. In desert habitats, its main seasonal food is cacti fruit; while in other environments it has a diet consisting of berry seeds. In some regions, white-winged doves nest in huge (sometimes in the thousands) colonies covering numerous acres. When in flight, these doves flash their hidden white wing patches, creating a spectacular scene. White-winged doves will nest singly or in groups, building rough stick nests in citrus, mesquite or other similar trees. Westward, white-winged doves form colonies in the saguaro-paloverde desert scrub, while moving freely into towns. Incubation is accomplished by both parents. Two white to pale buff eggs hatch in two weeks, where both sexes feed the hatch-lings on their milk. Four days later, the chicks also consume seeds, leaving the nest two weeks later.
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