Bird Gallery Index

White-winged Dove image © Robert McFarlane

Family: (Columbidae) Pigeons and Doves

Preferred Habitat: Originally arid areas of the Southwest. Now widely adapted to urban environments.

Seasonal Occurrence: Very common throughout the year. Breeds in our area.

Notes: White-winged Doves have been steadily advancing into Houston from areas south and west. In the 1970's they were found primarily in the Galveston area. From an analysis of data acquired from the Houston Bird Survey, Survey Coordinator Robert McFarlane reveals them currently to be primarily inside the loop, Galveston, and areas south and west to Katy and Missouri City. There are widely scattered populations at such sites as Bolivar Flats, Baytown, Seabrook, Friendswood and Kingwood and a few areas northwest of Houston beyond Beltway 8. They are found north of I-10 west of Loop 610 but not east. They appear to be concentrated in urban areas and are absent from wooded sections, such as Memorial west of the Loop and also most of east and north Houston. When populations reach sufficient size, White-winged Doves are displacing Mourning and Inca Doves. The call of a White-winged Dove is a softer rendition of the Barred Owl's Who cooks for you. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology sponsors Dove Detectives, a study-watch of doves and pigeons. The Houston Bird Survey on the Houston Audubon web site has more information and a distribution map.
- Susan Billetdeaux