How to identify it
Bulkier than a mourning dove, with a shorter tail; 28-32 cm. [1]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Mourning dove · Zenaida macroura
- Eurasian collared-dove · Streptopelia decaocto
Field notes
- Identification Do not identify White-winged dove from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1]
Where it lives
Semi-open southwestern habitats: river woods, mesquite, saguaro desert, native Texas brushland, chaparral and open oak woods; adapts readily to farmland, suburbs and citrus groves. [1]
How it behaves
Males give crowing calls on spring mornings from streamside groves and desert washes. [1]
Early migrant: most arrive by March and leave in September; a few winter north of Mexico, mainly in towns; Florida birds are mostly resident. [1]
Feeds on wild seeds, grain, acorns and fruit, especially cactus; often perches atop saguaros for fruit and nectar and is an important saguaro pollinator. [1]
May nest in colonies in isolated groves surrounded by good feeding areas. [1]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- Alabama — migratory bird hunting · Mourning and White-Winged Dove Season 2026-2027 (ADCNR)
- Arizona — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations
- Arkansas — migratory bird hunting · 2026-27 Arkansas Hunting Guidebook (PDF)
- California — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations
- Colorado — migratory bird hunting · 2 CCR 406-5 Chapter W-5 Migratory Birds (03/04/2026; eff. 2026-05-01)
- Florida — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 Florida Migratory Bird Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits (FWC)
- Idaho — migratory bird hunting · Idaho Migratory Game Bird 2026-2027 Seasons & Rules
- Illinois — migratory bird hunting · Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-2027 (PDF read from cached copy of the digest linked on this page)
- Indiana — migratory bird hunting · Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide 2026-2027: Waterfowl & Migratory Bird Regulations
- Kansas — migratory bird hunting · Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary, Fall 2025-Spring 2026
- Louisiana — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 Louisiana Hunting Regulations (updated Aug 7, 2026)
- Mississippi — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 Hunting Seasons (MDWFP PDF)
- Missouri — migratory bird hunting · Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026-2027 (cached PDF from MDC regulations page)
- Nebraska — migratory bird hunting · Small Game & Waterfowl Guide 2025-2026
- Nevada — migratory bird hunting · Nevada 2026-2027 Small Game Hunting Regulations & Seasons (NDOW official guide, eRegulations-hosted)
- New Mexico — migratory bird hunting · 2026-2027 New Mexico Migratory Game Bird Supplement
- North Carolina — migratory bird hunting · Proclamation: 2026-2027 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons (NCWRC)
- Oklahoma — migratory bird hunting · Dove (Mourning, White-Winged & Eurasian Collared)
- Texas — migratory bird hunting · Dove: 2026-2027 Seasons & Regulations
- Utah — migratory bird hunting · 2026-27 Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook
- Virginia — migratory bird hunting · Migratory Game Bird Regulations | Virginia DWR
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Mainly a summer resident in the southwestern United States (California to Texas), with year-round birds in Florida and along the Gulf Coast in winter; expanding northward, with strays far north of the breeding range.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30
National Audubon Society