The White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is a very rare vagrant visitor to New Brunswick. I was one of the observers when it was first reported here on 31 July 1977 at Mary's Point (my records have it listed as seen on 29 July 1977). Two were seen at Campobello Island at the same time. It has been seen periodically since and increasingly to the point where it is seen almost annually mostly in the southern part of the province. I saw another on 7 December 2001 at Alma. The bird shown in the photos in this post was seen and photographed on Grand Manan by Mark Morse on 22 July 2020.
The White-winged Dove is larger-bodied than the Mourning Dove but shorter in body length; 30 cm /11.5 inches compared to the 31 cm/12 inches of the Mourning Dove. The difference is the shorter tail of the White-winged. The White-winged Dove has gray-brown upper parts, gray underparts, and a small black crescent under the eye. The wings are dark gray with a broad white stripe and lavish black tips. The tail is short, square and with white tips to the outer tail feather. The eye is ruby red and the orbital skin is bright blue. The bill is black and the feet are red. The distinguishing feature of this bird is the white wing which shows as a narrow white line at the bottom of the folded wing. In flight the wings are showy with greyish at the base, a bold white cross stripe and large black wing tips.
The White-winged Dove is a normal resident of the southwestern US through southern Texas. It has been introduced to Florida and it is expanding northward. In the winter they migrate to Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. This species is known for its vagrants showing up in northern places like the northern US and southern Canada especially the Maritime provinces. The preferred habitat for this dove is open country with dense shrubs and low trees. It also likes suburban areas and agricultural areas. When it shows up here it often flocks with our Mourning Doves.
White-winged Doves normally forage on the ground on seeds, grains, and fruits. It is often seen around feeder areas. This species is quite vocal making a drawn-out series of 'coos'. Some have interpreted this cooing as 'who cooks for you'.
White-winged Doves nest in both high and low densities depending on the habitat. Courting males circle the female with their tail spread and wings raised. They flap their tails and do a lot of cooing and preening. They spar against other males doing a lot of wing slaps. When the female chooses the male both participate in rearing the young. Two creamy buff eggs are laid on a frail platform made of loose sticks mounted in a low shrub. Incubation is 13 to 14 days and is carried out by both adults.
The White-winged Dove is one of 14 species of doves found in North America. It was first described by George Edwards, an English naturalist, in 1743. He included an illustration along with a description of this species in his A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. Its Latin name, Zenaida, was named after Zénaida Laetitia Julie Princesse Bonaparte, the wife of Charles Lucien Bonaparte. The 'asiatica' means Asiatic and is a misnomer and is taken from the mistaken Indies; west being confused with east.
The White-winged Dove is commonly seen in flocks in summer in areas of the US near the Mexican border. In Texas flocks of up to 4000 birds can be seen. In the wild these birds live 10 to 15 years. In captivity they have lived up to 25 years. Flocks of these doves can be called a 'bevy of doves' or a 'dule of doves'. I doubt if we will ever see a bevy of White-winged Doves here but we can see one every year or so. They are a beautiful dove and a welcome addition to our avifauna.
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