White-Winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica

This bird’s native range extends from the south-western USA through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Most of the USA’s birds are summer visitors, choosing to spend the winter further south. Though in southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico and Texas along the Rio Grande River Valley, they are year-round residents.
The application of the Latin name for this species (asiatica) is a mystery to me. We defined the word as “a native or inhabitant of Asia”, yet this species is not Asian. Its origins are solely in the New World.
Today’s science recognises three subspecies of this bird:
- Z. a. asiatica breeds in the southern US to Nicaragua and the Caribbean.
- Z. a. australis lives in Costa Rica and Panama.
- Z. a. mearnsi breeds in southwestern US, western Mexico, and Baja California.
During the early twentieth century, habitat loss and excessive hunting brought the population of these birds down from 12 million to under a million in 1939. Since that time, hunting practices have been better managed and the birds have adapted to urban and suburban life. In 2001, observers estimated the population to be 2.2 million. It’s still a far cry from the late nineteenth century, but it’s moving in a good direction.
43 Photos

White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Near the feed lot outside of Red Rock, Arizona 2013-08-29. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:29 15:06 |
Location:
Red Rock |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X2497-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Borrego Springs. Anza Borrego, Northeast San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2010:05:05 16:46 |
Location:
Palm Canyon |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: JCD6909.WhiteWingedDove |
© 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Clark Dry Lake on Rock House Road. Anza Borrego State Park, San Diego County, California 2013-03-30. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:30 7:03 |
Location:
Anza Borrego State Park |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X3102-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Near the feed lot outside of Red Rock, Arizona 2013-08-29. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:29 15:09 |
Location:
Red Rock |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X2500-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: San Felipe Creek below Scissors Crossing. Anza Borrego State Park. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:27 10:17 |
Location:
Rockhouse Trail |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X5178-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Near the feed lot outside of Red Rock, Arizona 2008-11-29. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:29 13:47 |
Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 |
File Name: jcd3068WhiteWingedDove |
© 2008 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Visitor Center at Anza Borrego State Park, San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:30 9:14 |
Location:
Rockhouse Trail |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X3121-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Many birds are attracted to the stored water in Ayer Lake at the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior Arizona. The arboretum is a well known desert oasis and a great place to meet birds. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:23 16:58 |
Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X4720-Boyce-Thompson-Arboretum |
© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Many birds are attracted to the stored water in Ayer Lake at the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior Arizona. The arboretum is a well known desert oasis and a great place to meet birds. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:23 16:58 |
Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X4702-Boyce-Thompson-Arboretum |
© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Many birds are attracted to the stored water in Ayer Lake at the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior Arizona. The arboretum is a well known desert oasis and a great place to meet birds. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:23 16:57 |
Location:
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X4699-Boyce-Thompson-Arboretum |
© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: San Felipe Creek below Scissors Crossing. Anza Borrego State Park. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:27 10:17 |
Location:
Scissors Crossing |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X5176-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Along the Great Southern Overland Stage Route, at Agua Caliente County Park. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:26 9:26 |
Location:
Vallecito Valley |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X2768-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Molino Basin Campground on Mount Lemon. Near Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:26 9:06 |
Location:
Molino Basin |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X7856 |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Near the feed lot outside of Red Rock, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:29 14:49 |
Location:
Red Rock |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X2493-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Near the feed lot outside of Red Rock, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:29 15:06 |
Location:
Red Rock |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X2498-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Molino Basin Campground on Mount Lemon. Near Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2017:04:26 8:54 |
Location:
Molino Basin |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X7837 |
© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: San Felipe Creek below Scissors Crossing. Anza Borrego State Park. San Diego County, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:27 10:17 |
Location:
Scissors Crossing |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X5172-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: After my day trip to Dripping Springs following a late winter storm, I met this bird in town gathering nesting material. Near Las Cruces New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:04 16:17 |
Location:
Mesilla Park |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteWingDove_D5X3074-LasCruces |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: After my day trip to Dripping Springs following a late winter storm, I met this bird in town gathering nesting material. Near Las Cruces New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:04 16:17 |
Location:
Mesilla Park |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteWingDove_D5X3086-LasCruces |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: After my day trip to Dripping Springs following a late winter storm, I met this bird in town gathering nesting material. Near Las Cruces New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:04 16:17 |
Location:
Mesilla Park |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteWingDove_D5X3119-LasCruces |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: It was a clear calm morning, but a windy afternoon on the day I spent at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, near Las Cruces New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2020:02:29 15:05 |
Location:
Mesilla Valley |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X2142-MesillaValley |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: This dove seemed to be keeping an eye on me and the parakeets. As I was preparing to leave Corpus Christi, getting the RV ready for the road, I visited an RV Park and found many dozens of nesting Monk Parakeets. Apparently Corpus Christi Texas wasn't done with me yet! |
Date Taken: 2020:03:19 14:06 |
Location:
Nueces |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D505750-CorpusChristi-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: There are three species of dove I've seen in camp; Inca, Eurasian Collared, and White-Winged. By far the most vocal are these, who may be heard at any hour, day or night. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:17 10:52 |
Location:
Breeze Lake |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D502397-Breeze-Lake-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: There are three species of dove I've seen in camp; Inca, Eurasian Collared, and White-Winged. By far the most vocal are these, who may be heard at any hour, day or night. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:17 10:57 |
Location:
Breeze Lake |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D502470-Breeze-Lake-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: There are three species of dove I've seen in camp; Inca, Eurasian Collared, and White-Winged. By far the most vocal are these, who may be heard at any hour, day or night. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:17 11:11 |
Location:
Breeze Lake |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D502727-Breeze-Lake-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: After driving from Roswell, New Mexico all day, I spent a couple of hours in the desert garden at Bosque del Apache, where birds, bugs and flowers captured my attention. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:12 16:07 |
Location:
Bosque del Apache NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D506607-BosqueDelApache |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves were the most vocal and least shy of all the doves in camp. These birds enjoyed drinking nectar from the hummingbird feeders. The camp where I spent April in Brownsville, Texas has a "Reseca" or Oxbow lake on its border, Several feeder stations, with tall trees and grassy areas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:25 18:50 |
Location:
Breeze Lake |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D507930-Breeze-Lake-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves were the most vocal and least shy of all the doves in camp. These birds enjoyed drinking nectar from the hummingbird feeders. The camp where I spent April in Brownsville, Texas has a "Reseca" or Oxbow lake on its border, Several feeder stations, with tall trees and grassy areas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:25 19:13 |
Location:
Breeze Lake |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D508124-Breeze-Lake-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Feeding on Saguaro Fruit. Catalina Mountains, East of Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2004:06:23 13:20 |
Location:
Redington Road |
Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD_6827WhiteWingedDove |
© 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: Near the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:07:26 8:03 |
Location:
Salton Sea |
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X6390-WhiteWingedDove |
© 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: There are three species of dove I've seen in camp; Common Ground, Eurasian Collared, and White-Winged. By far the most vocal are these, who may be heard at any hour, day or night. I found these birds at a well stocked feeder in camp where I stayed in Brownsville Texas. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:17 10:33 |
Location:
Breeze Lake |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 400 mm, f/16.0, 1/320 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D502022-Breeze-Lake-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: This resident dove took advantage of the food place here by volunteers. This weekend provided the “perfect storm” for a warbler fallout on South Padre Island; a cold north wind, rain, and a ton of birds trying to head north. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:17 10:50 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X6231-SPI_ConventionCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: There weren't many doves in camp, but all seemed to be White-Winged. Cottonwood Camp is a primitive site eight miles from the end of the road at Santa Elena Canyon. I was lucky to book a night's stay and enjoy one of the birdiest sites in Big Bend National Park. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:03 14:34 |
Location:
Cottonwood Camp |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X8315-CottonwoodCamp |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: I found some nice birds at a roadside rest area about one hour east of Fort Stockton Texas to break the monotony of the I-10 freeway. I was surprised how many birds I found. There were 3 oriole species, 3 flycatcher species, and cactus wrens. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:09 18:01 |
Location:
East Pecos County Rest Area |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteWingDove_D505443-EastPecosCounty |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves are a favorite of mine. The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 18:10 |
Location:
National Butterfly Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X1923-NationalButterflyCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves are a favorite of mine. The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 18:10 |
Location:
National Butterfly Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X1919-NationalButterflyCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves are a favorite of mine. The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 18:03 |
Location:
National Butterfly Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X1855-NationalButterflyCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves are a favorite of mine. The National Butterfly Center held a “Big Sit” event on Sunday. They invited me to join the team, and in between shifts, I walked the grounds in search of photo opportunities. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:25 17:54 |
Location:
National Butterfly Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X1789-NationalButterflyCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: These doves were shyer than most other birds attending the feeders at the NBC. Before leaving the Lower Rio Grande Valley and travelling west, I stopped at the National Butterfly Center in Mission to see friends there. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:09 18:33 |
Location:
National Butterfly Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X7998_NationalButterflyCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: These doves were shyer than most other birds attending the feeders at the NBC. Before leaving the Lower Rio Grande Valley and travelling west, I stopped at the National Butterfly Center in Mission to see friends there. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:09 18:17 |
Location:
National Butterfly Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X7940_NationalButterflyCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: White-Winged Doves joined the migrating birds on SPI, taking advantage of the food supply provided by volunteers. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:05:06 13:22 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X6808_SPI-ConventionCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: A few White-Winged Doves roamed the area on this snow-covered wintry morning at the Sam Nail Ranch. I drove from Terlingua Texas to Santa Elena Canyon via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and stopped to enjoy several places on the way. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:02 11:09 |
Location:
Sam Nail Ranch |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X6678-SamNailRanch |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Winged Dove(Zenaida asiatica) |
Description: A few White-Winged Doves roamed the area on this snow-covered wintry morning at the Sam Nail Ranch. I drove from Terlingua Texas to Santa Elena Canyon via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and stopped to enjoy several places on the way. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:02 11:09 |
Location:
Sam Nail Ranch |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteWingedDove_D5X6677-SamNailRanch |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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