White-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica) are medium-sized birds found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. As their name suggests, these doves have distinctive white markings on their wings that can be seen when they are in flight. But just how big do these birds get? Here’s a look at the size of white-winged doves from different perspectives.
Body Length
The body length of a white-winged dove ranges from 28-34 cm (11-13.5 inches). This puts them on the larger side of the dove family. For comparison, mourning doves average 23-34 cm (9-13 inches) in length. White-winged doves have a similar body shape to mourning doves, with a rounded head, plump body, and long tapered tail.
Male vs Female Size
There is some degree of sexual dimorphism when it comes to the size of white-winged doves. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. A typical male white-winged dove measures 29-34 cm (11.5-13.5 in) from head to tail. Females are generally 28-32 cm (11-12.5 in) in length.
Wingspan
In addition to their body length, the wingspan is another useful indicator of a white-winged dove’s size. Their wingspans ranges from 47-55 cm (18.5-22 inches).
The wings are broad and rounded. When open, the white wing patches are very visible, making these birds easy to identify in flight. The white patches cover about half of the wings.
Wing Area
Looking specifically at wing area, white-winged doves have an average wing area of around 223 cm2. This provides them with enough surface area for powerful flight while still allowing them to maneuver nimbly through trees and vegetation.
Weight
In terms of weight, white-winged doves typically weigh between 120-170 grams (4.2-6 ounces). Males tend to be on the heavier end of the range while females are lighter.
Here is a table comparing the average weight of male and female white-winged doves:
| Sex | Average Weight |
|---|---|
| Male | 145-170 g |
| Female | 120-140 g |
Body Condition
The overall body condition of a white-winged dove can influence its weight. During breeding season when food is plentiful, they tend to be heavier and have more fat stores. In winter when food is scarcer, they may dip to the lower end of the weight range.
Wing Loading
Wing loading is a calculation that relates a bird’s weight to its wing area, and provides an indication of its flying abilities. White-winged doves have an average wing loading of around 0.67 g/cm2.
This relatively low wing loading allows white-winged doves to take off quickly and fly rapidly, with speeds up to 55 km/hr (34 mph). Their nimble flight through trees and brush is helped by their high wing loading and low wing area.
Tail Length
The tail of the white-winged dove is another point of interest when it comes to their size. These doves have long, tapered tails that measure 10-12 cm (4-5 inches) on average. This makes up about a third of their total body length.
Their long tails help provide stability and maneuverability in flight. The tail feathers are marked with white bands and tips which create a distinctive pattern when fanned out.
Bill Size
White-winged doves have fairly slender bills that align with their diet. Their bills measure around 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) which allows them to delicately pick small seeds and fruits.
The bill length is well suited to reach into plants and extract seeds and berries. While not as chunky and robust as seed-cracking doves, their bill size is a good balance for their varied diet.
Size Differences Across Range
When looking at the overall size of white-winged doves, most sources report similar dimensions. However, there can be subtle geographic variations in their size depending on location.
For example, one study found that white-winged doves in Florida averaged larger in size than those in Texas in measurements of wing chord, tarsus length, and tail length. The differences were not dramatic but do suggest some localized size adaptations.
Causes of Geographic Size Differences
Some potential reasons for subtle size differences in white-winged doves across their range include:
- Climate – Warmer climates may allow for larger size
- Food availability – More plentiful food in some areas may lead to larger size
- Adaptations to habitat – Local adaptations may favor slightly larger or smaller variants
- Subspecies variations – Up to 5 subspecies with minor variations may exist
Comparison to Other Doves
To better understand the size of white-winged doves, it can be helpful to compare them to other dove species:
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove is slightly smaller than the white-winged dove. Mourning doves measure 23-34 cm (9-13 in) compared to the white-wing’s 28-34 cm (11-13.5 in).
Common Ground Dove
At just 16-18 cm (6.5-7 in), the common ground dove is much smaller than the white-winged dove. The ground dove has a rounded, compact body and short legs and beak.
Eurasian Collared Dove
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Eurasian collared doves are substantially larger than white-winged doves. The Eurasian collared dove reaches 32-37 cm (13-15 in) in length, with chunkier proportions overall.
Rock Pigeon
Rock pigeons are also significantly bigger than white-winged doves. Average rock pigeons measure 31-35 cm (12-14 in) long with a wingspan around 68 cm (27 in). Their sturdy build is very different than the lighter, slender white-winged dove.
Conclusion
In summary, the white-winged dove is a medium-sized dove species. Their total length ranges from 28-34 cm (11-13.5 in) with a wingspan of 47-55 cm (18.5-22 in). Weight can vary from around 120-170 grams (4.2-6 oz), with males often larger than females. Key size features include their distinctive white wing patches, tapered tail, and slender bill.
Their dimensions allow them to fly swiftly and maneuver through vegetation with ease. Slight geographic variations in size may occur across their range. But overall, the white-winged dove is a moderately sized dove, generally intermediate between smaller and larger dove species.
