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White-winged Dove - Zenaida asiatica

Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.

Species Account:

First year: 1959

Extirpated year:

Established status: Populations are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or more consecutive years.

Estimated Florida range: 67 counties At least 10 years

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives: Unknown.

Species Account: The White-winged Dove is native to the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. This species naturally occurs in central and southern parts of Florida, where some individuals migrate from the West in October and November (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Introductions of Mexican birds started in Florida in 1959 in Homestead, Dade County (Saunders 1980), and the FWC subsequently captured their offspring and released them as far north as Lake County (Williams 1978). Since then, there are occurrences of year-round birds, and breeding now occurs in the state. Night roosts of >1,000 doves have been reported in Polk County; flocks fly out to surrounding fields each morning to feed on wild seeds and fruits (Florida BBA 1986-91). These nonmigratory breeding birds are all derived from introductions.

Habitats: Central or core urban area, Low density suburban development, areas peripheral to core urban areas, and small towns

Click here for description of the regions

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
Southwest			At least 10 years
South			At least 10 years

Broward	1986?		At least 10 years	Reported confirmed breeding (Florida BBA 1986-91)
Collier	1977		At least 10 years
Dade	1959		At least 10 years	10 pairs from Mexico released.
DeSoto	1986?		Not reported breeding	Reported as possible breeding (Florida BBA 1986-1991)
Highlands	1976		At least 10 years	160 birds released by the FWC into citrus groves.
Marion	1976		Not reported breeding	FWC released birds to establish them in citrus groves (Anonymous 1978).
Martin	1986?		At least 10 years	Reported confirmed breeding (Florida BBA 1986-91)
Monroe	1993		Not reported breeding	(Pranty 1994a)
Palm Beach	1986?		At least 10 years	Reported confirmed breeding (Florida BBA 1986-91)
Polk	1977		At least 10 years
Saint Lucie	1977		At least 10 years

References

Anonymous. 1978. Resident White-winged Doves in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 6(2): 56.

Saunders, G. B. 1980. The origin of White-winged Dove breeding in South Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 8:50-51.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Williams, L. E., Jr. 1978. Distribution of the Turkey in Florida (1973-1977). Florida Field Naturalist 6:33-35.

Links to more information

Florida Breeding Bird Atlas Species Account

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