Timing of hatching in a mourning dove population in Tucson, Arizona

Abstract

We calculated hatching dates for 2,479 immature mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) captured and banded in a suburban area of Tucson, Arizona, during 2000–2012. Hatching commenced in February and continued into late September. Frequency of hatching peaked during 21–31 May and gradually declined to the end of September. Mourning doves in the Tucson area have hatching distribution similar to those of populations in other parts of the United States. Our data show no measurable differences in length of the mourning dove breeding season among varied locations throughout the United States over a 70-year period.