Factors affecting white-winged, white-tipped, and mourning dove reproduction in Lower Rio Grande Valley

Cost-effective management of white-winged (Zenaida asiatica), mourning (Z. macroura), and white-tipped doves (Leptotila verreauxi) in Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas requires an understanding of factors affecting dove reproduction. We measured productivity of these species on 150 woodlots du ring May- August 1994-95. We compared 4 indices of productivity fdr each do ve species among physiognomic and dominant-species vegetation classes, and modeled relationships between these indices anti great-tailed grackle (Quis calus mexicanus) density, grain availability, foliage density, and woodlot size. Mourning doves were least selective with respect to suitable nesting habitat; white-tipped doves were most selective. Woodlands and parklands do minated by Texas ebony (Pithecellobium ebano) and Texas sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) were important nesting habitats for all 3 species. White-winged and mourning doves used woodlands and parklands equally for nesting. Extrao rdinary densities of nesting white-winged. doves in 2 woodlots suggests tha t a few small areas may support large segments of local populations. Our re sults do riot suggest that reproduction of these species is limited by habi tat availability, grackle predation, or food availability. Habitat preserva tion and restoration should Focus on woodlands dominated Lv Texas ebony and Texas sugarberry and heavily-used nesting areas in native woodlands and pa rklands should be identified. and protected.