Observations on the Inca Dove at Tucson, Arizona

Abstract

For the past ten years the Inca Dove (Scardafella inca) has nested on or near our acre lot in the Rillito Valley, six miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona. The following summary of our observations is intended to fill in a few of the gaps in the life history of this somewhat neglected species. Inca Doves moved into our neighborhood about thirteen years ago when the first house was built. At that time the ten-acre block was covered chiefly with creosote bush and cholla cactus. A thin line of mesquites and catclaw fringed an abandoned irrigation ditch which traversed the area. Gradually homes were built on six of the acres. Small chicken houses with enclosed yards and gardens were added. Much of the original vegetation was left undisturbed. A few ornamental trees such as tamarix, pepper, and china berry, which were planted early, grew rapidly to large size. Brief notes are available on 28 nesting attempts in this area. Although we have found nests in introduced ornamental trees in other parts of Tucson, all the nests in our neighborhood were placed in native shrubs. We found one in a catclaw bush (Acacia greggii), and all the others in chollas (Opuntia spinosior). Two other species of cholla which grew to suitable size were not selected for nest sites. Of these, Opuntia versicolor may have been unsuitable because of its smaller twigs and fewer horizontal branches. Opuntia fulgida was probably avoided because of the presence of nests of the Curvebilled Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) and Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus), although two of the dove nests were built on old weathered remnants of Cactus Wren nests. Nest heights varied from three to six feet above the ground. There was no apparent attempt at concealment. Although the scanty nest platform was often difficult to make out, the incubating bird always sat in plain view and could readily be seen from some distance away. Its dull, gray-brown coloration in such a situation had little protective value. With the exception of one nest at 125 feet, all were placed within 50 feet of occupied buildings. Occasionally automobile traffic would pass as close as 15 feet from a nest.