Status of White-Winged Dove Nesting Colonies in Tamaulipas, México

Abstract

The core of eastern White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica asiatica) breeding habitat historically occurred in northern México and southern Texas. Much nesting-habitat loss has occurred in this region since the mid-1900s and several large nesting colonies of the historic complex have disappeared with others currently at risk. Little knowledge exists regarding the precise location of these colonies or their current status. We reviewed the literature, interviewed biologists, and conducted site visits to Tamaulipas, México during May– August 2004 and 2005 to construct a historical account of White-winged Dove colonies. We found references to 77 possible nesting colonies thought to exist over a 50-year period in Tamaulipas. However, 26 references represented alternative names for the same colonies resulting in 51 colonies. We located 31 of these colonies of which 13 were active and 18 were inactive. The remaining 20 were not described in sufficient detail to locate. Brush clearing was listed as a cause for 78% of the 18 inactive colonies followed by weather catastrophes (56%) and overharvest (39%). Collectively, these 3 factors appeared to be responsible for 94% of all colony loss. The historic, large colonies of the past are gone and likely will not return because of these factors, primarily because of brush clearing.