Notes on Nesting and Other Habits of the Western White-Winged Dove in Arizona

Abstract

The western white-winged dove (Melopelia asiatica mearnsi), interesting bird of the southwestern deserts, holds an important place among the game species of Arizona. Ranging throughout southern Arizona, northward to an irregular line from the New Mexican border near Safford westward through the southern part of the mountains to the vicinity of Stoneman Lake, Payson, Prescott, and Needles, the white-wing is found most abundantly in the valleys of the Colorado and Gila rivers, and of the tributaries of the latter, the Salt, Verde, Hassayampa, Santz Cruz, and San Pedro. The great mesquite thickets of the river bottom-lands were, and still are, the centers of summer population though the acreage of these growths is annually reduced through reclamation for agricultural use. However, whitewings may be seen almost anywhere: in the desert on ironwood or giant cactus, or flying overhead; in the valleys of the desert mountains; even in the shade and fruit trees of the more highly developed agricultural areas; along country roadsides; and in suburban residential sections.