Birds of The Azure Gate: Part Ten

Staying with the Ground Birds:

White Winged Dove

The White Winged Dove is larger than the Mourning Dove. He is one of our migrants, arriving in May and departing in September. He can be found during the summer in the extreme southern parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. He winters in Mexico. In the photo above he is on top of a Saguaro that has recently flowered. The White Winged Dove is easily distinguished from the mourning dove by the white stripe on the edge of the folded wing and by the blue orbital ring and orange iris. The Mourning Dove has a pale bluish ring and black iris.

I like this photo because it is kind of whimsical. The cactus this Dove is sitting on has two new buds. And, the way the bird is sitting they almost look like feet.

Finally, here is a White Winged Dove in her nest (Palo Verde tree) with two chicks.