Doves: Part VI

Lastly, the White-winged Dove:

As with the Mourning Dove, the White-winged Doves will nest anyway too. This was in our carport:

Here a White-winged Dove eating the fruit of a Saguaro Cactus:

Doves: Part V

The Mourning Dove is common (even abundant) whose range includes all of the United States and much of the southern parts of Canada.

They are year round residents in Arizona, and at The Azure Gate you can typically find 50 or more at any point during the day. They nest here from March through August. And those nests can be anywhere: cactus, window ledges, carports, trees etc. 

Mourning Dove nest in Saguaro Cactus

Mourning Dove nest in pine

Six years ago we had a Leucistic Mourning Dove around for about three months:

Leucistic Mourning Dove

Successful Bobcat

I went over to Sweetwater Wetlands on Sunday and came across a Bobcat that had successfully caught a Cinnamon Teal from the weed beds. Here are a few of the photos I took:

Doves: Part IV

Next we have the Inca Dove.

The Inca Dove is a small dove whose range is the Southwestern United States and Mexico. While its range seems to be expanding as far north as Colorado, its population does not seem to be increasing.

It is a fairly tame dove that you can get close to, unlike most other doves.

Doves: Part III

On to the Eurasian Collard Dove.  

According to "All About Birds," Eurasian Collared-Doves made their way to North America via the Bahamas, where several birds escaped from a pet shop during a mid-1970s burglary; the shop owner then released the rest of the flock of approximately 50 doves. Others were set free on the island of Guadeloupe when a volcano threatened eruption. From these two sites the birds likely spread to Florida, and now occur over most of North America.

Another interesting fact is that Eurasian Collared-Doves are one of very few species that can drink “head down,” submerging their bills and sucking water as though drinking through a straw. Most birds must scoop water and tip the head back to let it run down into the throat.

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Doves: Part II

The Common Ground Dove, unlike its name, is NOT very common. It is found only in the most southern part of the US from Florida to California. Its habitat is  dry sandy soil where it forages for seeds.

Common Ground Dove 

Common Ground Dove

Doves: Part I

On to Doves, 

The Rock Pigeon - as most know is found throughout the United States and Mexico -- typically in City Parks taking breads crumbs from humans.

The Band-tailed Pigeon, on the other hand,  is only found along the Pacific Coast and Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. And unlike the Rock Pigeon, it is a wilderness bird, preferring oak and conifer forests. This photo was taken on Mount Lemmon at about 8,000 feet:

Band-tailed Pigeon