So, what are the types of Doves in Texas?
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With a geographical location in the center of North and South America, Texas is uniquely positioned to have an ecosystem that supports life forms native to both regions. Furthermore, Texas boasts a unique climate that is tropically hot and, at the same time, relatively temperate in the winter without being extremely cold. As you can expect from such a place, the ecosystem is teeming with all life forms.
The center of attention for this article is the types of doves in Texas. Doves are a family of highly developed birds that range in size from sparrows to chickens. Doves can be social animals, living in groups of about 30 birds, or solitary animals choosing to live alone. Some species of Doves have only one partner throughout their lives and raise chicks in a single nesting site all their lives.
Texas has a rich presence of Doves; there are seven species of doves and pigeons indigenous to Texas. However, their numbers have suffered due to unchecked hunting activities, and out of their number, only three ( that is, the mourning dove, white-winged dove, and white-tipped dove) are currently hunted legally as game birds. Federal law and regulations list two species (red-billed and band-tailed pigeons) as legal game birds. Still, they are not tracked in Texas because they currently do not have enough numbers and distribution. Two other species (the Inca dove and common ground dove) are small, sparrow-sized birds with ample numbers and distribution but no potential for hunting. Therefore, the state of Texas has no formal management actions undertaken about them. Now let us look at the different types of doves in Texas and how you can identify them.
Types Of Doves In Texas
1. Mourning Dove
Physical attributes that can help one recognize a mourning dove are its Brown wings with black spots on them and its long pointed tail. This kind of dove can be found all over the state of Texas.
You can recognize this bird by its Black beak and eyes, brown plumage, with speckles of black on the wings.
2. White-winged Dove
The White-winged dove can be recognized by the White bars that it carries on its wing and the Large, well-rounded tail. This type of dove can be found in South Texas, and its population is increasing statewide.
YOu can recognize this by a black beak, a brown coloration stretching from its head to the top of its wings. At the same time, its back is dark grey or black. The wings of this bird are white when it takes flight.
3. White-tipped Dove
White-tipped Dove is a kind of dove that can easily be recognized by several features starting from the White-frontal parts. This dove species also has a large, well-rounded tail and deep brown or Rust-colored wing linings. This species of the dove can usually be found in South Texas.
You can recognize this species by the light grey coloration on its head and breast and its whitish underside. The wings are a brown or darker shade of grey.
4. Eurasian-Collared Dove
The Eurasian Collared-Dove has a controversial history behind it. As the name probably gives away, this is not a native species to Texas or the United States but is an ‘invasive species’ that comes from the tip of Asia and central Europe.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove gets its name from the black collar around its neck. The bird is a medium-sized dove, evidently more petite than the wood pigeon and slightly larger than the related turtle dove. This dove is similar to a rock pigeon, with an average length of 32 cm (13 in) from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail, with a wingspan of around 47–55 cm (19–22 in). As per weight, the bird usually weighs between 125–240 grams. It can come in a color range that stretches from grey to pinkish-grey, but it is the same species. This coloration is overall- from head to wings and underparts, although it can be a little darker above than below. The tail feathers of this species are usually grey-buff above and opaque grey-tipped white below; the outer tail feathers are also tipped whitish at the topside. It has a black half-collar edge. The short legs of this species are red, and the bill is black.
The Narrow black collar can most easily recognize this species on the nape of its neck and the white coloration on the underside of its tail. Do not forget that the body is Pale gray, has a black bill, and has red eyes.
5. Rock Dove (Rock Pigeon)
The rock dove also called the rock pigeon or sometimes common pigeon, is a member of the dove family. This is the bird that comes to mind when people mention the word ”pigeon.” This is the particular species from which the domestic pigeon is descended. Today this species has three categories: wild, feral, and trained.
YOu can recognize them by the gray plumage, with a luminescent green head, red eyes, and red feet. Similar to the Eurasian /collared Dove, this species also has a typical size of 32cm from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail. They generally have a wingspan of around 47 to 55 cm and usually weigh about 125 to 240 grams for a good feed adult of this species.
6. Band-tailed Pigeon
The band-tailed dove, more commonly called a Band-tailed pigeon, is a medium-sized bird native to North and South America. Its closest relatives are the Chilean and ring-tailed pigeon, distinct because of a terminal tail band and iridescent plumage on their necks. They are typically bigger than rock pigeons and can weigh up to 340 grams. A bird such as this would not feel safe around humans, and so band-tailed pigeons have as their habitat thickly wooded areas that are up in the mountains.
You can recognize them with a Yellow bill, a small white band on the neck, and generally brown plumage. The wings of this species are usually grey, while the white bar on the tip side of the tail becomes visible when the dove is in flight.
7. Inca Dove
The Inca dove or Mexican dove is a small species of a dove that is native to North America. The Inca dove is diminutive in stature and only reaches a length of 16.5–23 cm and weighs 30–58 grams. The birds are usually slender, with a gray-brown plumage that gives the appearance of the bird being covered with scales. The tail is long and square. On the edges of the tail feathers, there is a distinct white coloration.
You can recognize this bird with Its brown color; it looks like it has scales. It is small in stature. YOu can find it everywhere: Urban and suburban areas, woodland edges, savannahs, thickets
8. Common Ground Dove
The common ground dove (Columbina Passerina) is a small member of the dove family. This species is native to the southern United States, parts of Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Researchers consider the common ground dove to be the smallest dove family member inhabiting the United States.
You can recognize this bird by its Sandy brown color, Dark spots on its wings, Short, round tail, and, most distinctively, by its Small body and short, thin bill.
Texas Dove Hunting
Texas dove hunting is a beloved pastime throughout the state. For many people, it’s a way of life passed down through generations, with each successive generation finding its unique connection to the activity. Hunting doves in Texas is also a great way to participate in a long-standing tradition while spending time outdoors with family and friends.
The Lone Star State offers some of the best dove hunting opportunities in the country due to its diverse terrain and plentiful resources for game birds. From open-range grasslands to lush riparian areas along rivers, there are countless places where hunters can find their quarry. The mild climate also helps support large populations of doves, which makes locating birds easy for even novice hunters.
Cheap, accessible, and inclusive dove hunting in Texas for all Lone Star state species. The limit for doves is 15 per day, and the limit for possession is 45. It is a sports enthusiast flock from the Red River to the Rio Grande for a steamer on September afternoon.
Texas dove hunting season typically runs from mid-September to mid-November. The exact dates vary by region and are set annually by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
- Central Zone has an early season from September 1st to October 23rd, a late season from December 20th to January 8th, and special white-winged dove days in September and October.
- North Zone has a similar schedule: an early season from September 18th to October 25th, a late season from December 20th to January 23rd, and special white-winged dove days in September and October.
- South Zone has an early season from September 18th to November 6th, with no late season or special white-winged dove days.
Hunters must check the regulations each year before they go out, as the dates may change depending on local conditions. Hunters must also obtain any necessary licenses or permits before going out.
Conclusion: On Texas Doves
As you have seen from this article, doves have the potential to thrive in Texas. However, game hunters’ long and unchecked activities have put a significant obstacle to their existence. Some species of doves have been completely wiped out from the earth. A famous example of this is the Passenger Pigeon, which is said to have been so abundant at one time that populations of this bird would darken the sky when they flew by. No single Passenger Pigeon exists on the whole earth; we have hunters to thank for this.
Even though some species of doves we have highlighted in this article are currently seeing their numbers come back, a lot still has to be done to protect them. They may be abundant now, but what is to stop our children from wiping them out?
If we continue to enjoy these birds’ beauty and the part they play in sustaining the balance of nature, then we must take proactive measures now.