Molt of After-Hatching-Year Mourning Doves

Abstract

We studied molts and plumages of 28 captive and 112 wild after-hatching-year (AHY) mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in eastcentral Alabama to better understand the timing of, processes involved in, and factors affecting annual molt Captive doves were paired and reproduced in outdoor flight pens exposed to natural photoperiod and weather. We evaluated molt progression in captive doves at 28-day intervals. During the weeks we examined captive doves, we also trapped and evaluated molt in wild doves For captive and wild doves, time (sampling period) was the only consistent factor affecting inolt (P < 0.001). Body molt of captive and wild doves began in August, peaked in October, and ended by December Tail feather (rectrix) molt coincided with body molt in captive but not wild doves. Molt of primary feathers (remiges) in both groups followed an orderly outward sequence and was initiated by May and completed by December. The complete body molt initiated in late summer resulted in the drab plumage typical of mourning doves in winter. Males had visible olive-colored tips on the crown, hind neck, and, to a lesser degree, the chest. Gradual deterioration of the margins of these feathers revealed the more colorfnl breeding plumage by late winter and early spring Although the winter plumage of females also was olive-tipped it did not contrast enough with the spring plumage to cause a noticeable seasonal color change. Apparently, AHY mourning doves compensate for molt-breeding overiap by spreading wing molt over ≥6 months by initiating annual body head and tail molt when food is abundant in autumn, and by timing the majority of molt concurrent with, or following, the final clutch of the season, just prior to the stressors of winter.