Texas Wildlife - Texas' Other Doves - September 2022

TEXAS’ LESSER KNOWN DOVES

Article by MARY O. PARKER

Four decades later I still smile when I recall a favorite

hunting trip with my dad. At 10 years old, I was no wing-shooter and he knew it, so one morning he let me sleep in while he went hunting. I didn’t even realize he’d left until the wonderful scent of doves cooking in butter roused me from my slumber. My father had harvested two Mourning Doves and was making us breakfast.

A lot has changed in 40 years, but some things have remained the same. Just like my dad, today’s Texas hunters still mostly aim for Mourning and White-winged Doves. Many nonhunters are also quite familiar with the two species. But Texas is

home to plenty of other dove species, albeit not all of them can be hunted.

Whether their common name includes the word “pigeon” or the word “dove,” these birds all belong to the Columbidae family.

Not only do pigeons and doves share the same family, but also certain physical features such as thick, round bodies and short necks. In addition, regardless of species, these lesser-known birds primarily dine on plants, seeds, fruits, and insects during breeding season. One difference is that, overall, those called “doves” tend to be somewhat smaller than those bearing the “pigeon” moniker.

GROWING, GROWING, GONE?

Plenty has been written about Texas’ growing population and how this growth detrimentally affects wildlife, but doves in general seem to have adapted better to human habitat expansion than many other animals. In fact, some actually seem to benefit from Texas’ ongoing conversion of rural lands into croplands and urban and suburban development.

Where there’s agriculture, cities, and neighborhoods there’s water. Not only does a consistent water supply increase the amount of food available for doves, but it provides the supplemental water (as opposed to metabolic water) the birds need to digest their food. Add to the mix backyard feeders and shelter provided by buildings and other structures and one can see why some species—such as the non-native Eurasian and Rock Dove or common pigeon—are proliferating.

However, cautioned Owen Fitzsimmons, dove program leader for TPWD, “How [Texas’] lesser-known dove species are reacting is not well understood. We do know species like Whitewinged Doves have expanded their range and now primarily occupy urban habitats where they’ve expanded, and they seem to be very successful in doing so. Columbids are generally pretty adaptable, but time will tell how the changing landscape in Texas will affect these different species.”

Overall, said Fitzsimmons, “Birds are fantastic bio-indicators, meaning when you have a wide diversity of bird species in an area, it often indicates the habitat is healthy and diverse, as well. Having multiple species of doves on a property improves the biodiversity and that’s always a good thing.”

IN SEASON…OR…NO SEASON?

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 instituted protection for all North America’s native migratory birds. But, explained Fitzsimmons, “It also allows hunting seasons to be established for a select few families of birds, including Columbids. Although there are nearly 200 species technically defined as game birds by the MBTA, the vast majority will likely never be considered for an open season due to limited range, low abundance, or even just historical interest, or lack thereof, from hunters.”

With that in mind, TPWD has classified the lesser-known dove species in the following ways:

• Protected; Hunted with bag limit and in season

• Protected; Not hunted

• Unprotected; No bag limit, hunting allowed year-round

PROTECTED; HUNTED WITH

BAG LIMIT AND IN SEASON White-tipped Dove “Although [White-tipped Dove] are a game species, few hunters know anything about them outside of those who regularly hunt or live in South Texas. Even then, many South Texas hunters have never seen one,” Fitzsimmons said. “They are not a common species to come across while hunting—they don’t really migrate or move around in large groups like Mourning and White-winged doves. In fact, they often act more like quail than other doves. They are really unique and interesting birds.”

White-tipped Doves are unique and interesting birds. This species is also known as White-fronted. Their eyes are pale yellow and they have reddish feet and legs, plus a soft-white chin and forehead.

One example is that, unlike other dove species, White-tipped Doves are not very sociable. Instead, they hang out in pairs or go it alone.

This species is also known as White-fronted. Their eyes are pale yellow and they have reddish feet and legs, plus a softwhite chin and forehead. Magenta and blue-green iridescence embellish their throat and breast. When the birds take flight, one can glimpse whitish-beige on the corners of their tail. And, upon lift-off, their wings create a loud whistle.

White-tipped Doves forage mostly on the ground, walking quickly and bobbing their heads as they search for fallen berries, seeds, and insects. They inhabit thick brush and sometimes citrus groves, like those in South Texas.

PROTECTED, NOT HUNTED Band-tailed Pigeon Soft bluish, purplish grays color Band-tailed Pigeons and a white horizontal strip creates a band around the back of their necks. Yellow feet and a matching yellow bill tipped with black complete this bird’s look.

This forest-oriented species tends to search for food as flocks. Group sizes of these nomadic birds can reach several dozen, but more commonly they form flocks of a dozen or two.

Band-tailed Pigeons live in mature coniferous forests or pineoak woodlands. They also visit forested suburban parks, fields, orchards, and backyard bird feeders to forage. Unlike most dove, they do the majority of their feeding up in trees.

Their numbers fell to super low levels due to overhunting, but thanks to protection they’ve made a decent comeback.

Per Fitzsimmons, “There is a season for Band-tailed Pigeons in certain states out west, but Texas has a limited number of those birds and no open season for them.”

The goal in Texas is to focus on increasing their population as well as learning more about them. Historically, Band-tailed

Pigeons haven’t been studied much so there’s still plenty for ornithologists to learn about this species. The current Texas population isn’t known, but what is known is that most Bandtailed Pigeons live concentrated in cities and the far western reaches of the state. Common Ground Dove The Common Ground Dove is native to the southern U.S. The diminutive birds measure only 6-7 inches and are considered the smallest dove species in our nation. It’s certainly the littlest in Texas!

Most of their foraging occurs on the ground, hence their name. As they walk, they fill their crops with seeds, berries and, especially when nesting, small insects. In Texas they can be found in semi-open habitats such as the edges of woods, and thickets along streams and orchards. They’ll also come to bird feeders, especially in dryer regions.

In the last three decades, the population of Common Ground Doves has seriously declined. Researchers don’t know exactly why, especially considering that this species seems to do OK where they have access to irrigated agricultural fields and small residential developments.

When in flight, the Ground Dove’s wings create a fluttery, rattling sound similar to Inca Doves. Males remain incessant at their wooing efforts, sometimes “woot, woot, wooting” throughout mid-day heat when most other wildlife are taking it easy. Common Ground Dove form long-term pair bonds but, otherwise, don’t socialize much.

Inca Dove

Inca Dove are one of the smallest doves in Texas and they’re one of the prettiest, too, thanks to intricate scallop designs decorating their slender bodies.

This species does well near people, especially in open areas with scattered cover. In South Texas, they especially hang out where there is palo verde. Inca Dove do well in deserts and South Texas’ brush country.

When temperatures grow nippy, Inca Doves huddle into a pyramid formation to help conserve heat. Listen for the unique rustling sound of their wings in flight or their notable coo of “no hope, no hope, no hope.”

According to Fitzsimmons, “There is evidence that Inca and Common Ground Doves may be expanding in range, but I don’t know to what extent they are utilizing urban habitats in these new areas.”

“One additional issue,” Fitzsimmons added, “is that Texas is at the northern end of the range… and we know very little about their status in Mexico and Central America, making it a huge challenge to understand the bigger picture when it comes to management and conservation.”

The Inca Dove can give the Common Ground Dove some competition for the most diminutive, but Inca Doves can be identified by intricate scallop designs decorating their slender bodies.

UNPROTECTED; NO BAG LIMIT,

HUNTING ALLOWED YEAR-ROUND Eurasian Collared Dove With red eyes and a black “collar” rimming the back of their neck (hence their name), Eurasian Collared Doves are easy to tell apart from others in the family Columbidae.

These birds are fecund—very! While Texas’ native doves usually nest just twice a year, it’s not unusual for this non-native to make four nesting attempts annually. Sometimes they even try for six. In fact, they’ll often begin construction of a new nest while fledglings still occupy the current one.

In 1974, when Eurasian Collared Doves were introduced to North America, their population numbered somewhere around 100 to 200. Today, in Texas alone, they number more than 5 million. This, although Lone Star hunters harvest more than 500,000 of the birds every year.

“Landowners who hunt could enjoy having the opportunity to go after Eurasian Collared Doves, if they have them,” Fitzsimmons said. “Non-native Columbids, like Rock Dove and Eurasian Collared Doves, are not protected by the MBTA. TPWD considers these species to be exotic and ‘unprotected’—there is no closed season or bag limit restrictions.”

Indeed, with no bag limit and no season to restrict hunting them, Eurasian Collared Doves offer hunters the chance to im-

Red-Billed Pigeon

With a length of 12-15 inches, Red-billed Pigeons are big birds! However, the Texas territory they claim remains quite small. Found primarily in Mexico and Central America, they just barely enter the U.S. In particular, they keep to the Rio Grande Valley, specifically native woods along the river.

According to Fitzsimmons, such a slim bit of U.S. habitat puts them at risk. “Band-tailed and Red-billed Pigeons may be more at risk than others due to their very limited ranges in Texas,” he said.

Their numbers continue on a downward trajectory, most likely due to loss of native habitat. Unfortunately, many of their old stomping grounds have been converted to agriculture, leaving these birds little land to support their dietary and nesting needs.

Red-billed Pigeons frequently forage in hackberry, ebony, huisache, mistletoe, and mesquite. There, they dine on fruits, seeds, seedlings, and buds.

Red-billed Pigeons breed in Texas beginning in mid-February. The best chance of glimpsing one occurs in Starr and Hidalgo counties from mid-February to mid-September. To do so, first listen for their low song: “whoo, whoop-a-whoo.” Once you hear it, grab your binoculars and glass the tops of short trees nearby. Search for blueish-gray coloring and a red bill capped off by pale yellow.

bibe on delicious dove meat throughout the year. This species tastes nearly identical to those with bag limits.

Despite their reproductive success, Fitzsimmons said, “There are no strong indications that the exotic Columbids [like Eurasian Collared Dove] are having major impacts to our native doves and pigeon populations, but they definitely compete for food and nesting habitat at the individual level.”

One potential impact could be for any landowners who raise poultry. Rock Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves can carry deadly and contagious paramyxoviruses like Newcastle Disease that can be easily transmitted to domestic poultry.

“Native doves can also transmit these viruses, but generally are much less likely to be infectious,” he said.

Rock Dove

Think of pigeons in the park and you’ll picture a Rock Dove. Rock Doves are similar in size to Eurasian Collared Doves and, like the collared birds, sport red eyes. However, the Rock Dove’s gorgeous iridescence, which shimmers along its neck, makes identifying it easy. This species can also be ID’ed by its two black bars across each wing, a black band at the end of the bill, and their unusual red eyes.

Records indicate that in approximately 4500 BC, Rock Doves were the first birds to be domesticated. These “pigeons,” first introduced to North American in 1606, are famous for their incredible homing ability. Using the sun and Earth’s magnetic field, Rock Doves have a long history of serving as messengers, including delivering missives for notable warriors such as Napoleon and Caesar.

Rock Doves are extremely adaptable, which allows them to thrive in habitats in which other birds do not. They’re also true omnivores and dine on anything from seeds and leaves to popcorn and cake.

This non-native dove species lives throughout Texas year-round. They’ve taken a particular liking to urban areas where they roost on and in buildings. As super social birds, Rock Doves live and breed in large groups.

The Red-billed Pigeon is one of the rarest of the dove species in Texas. The Rio Grande River is the northern-most edge of its territory; it’s more common in Mexico and Central America.

The Eurasian Collared Dove, so named for the distinctive black collar on the back of its neck, is the most recent invasive dove to flourish in Texas’ hospitable climes. In 1974, when Eurasian Collared Doves were introduced to North America, their population numbered somewhere around 100 to 200. Today, in Texas alone, they number more than 5 million. This, although Lone Star hunters harvest more than 500,000 of the birds every year. Because they’re unprotected, they can be hunted year ‘round and make great table fare.

The Rock Dove, better known as the common pigeon, is an invasive species that’s been around for a long time. First brought to North America in the 1600s, they’re commonly seen around urban skyscrapers and suburban parks.

Doves are often good bio-indicators. If doves are plentiful, it’s a good indicator that biodiversity is healthy. Inca Doves are comfortable around people, especially in open areas.