White-winged Dove – RestingZenaid asaitica March – Texas L=11.5” ...... WS=19” ...... WT=5 oz Order: Columbiformes (Pigeons and Doves) Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) White-winged Doves are a flourishing species that are expanding their range north and eastward from Mexico and from southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. They appear to have benefited from increased human populations in the Southern U.S. as increased agriculture, ornamental trees, and bird feeders have provided additional feeding and nesting sites.
White-winged Dove – Juvenile sleeping at feederZenaid asaitica July – Texas L=11.5” ...... WS=19” ...... WT=5 oz Order: Columbiformes (Pigeons and Doves) Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) Adult White-winged Doves sleep 10-20% of the time during the day and the young probably sleep even more. Juveniles are less wary than adults, sometimes to their detriment. This juvenile began periodically sleeping on a very busy bird feeder until numerous protests and disturbances by other birds prompted a change in this behavior.
American White Pelican – Foraging Pelecanus erythrorhynchos November – Texas L=62”......WS=108”......WT=16.4 lb Order: Pelecaniformes (Totipalmate Birds) Family: Pelecanidae (Pelicans) Pelicans are very large water birds with enormous bills and pouches. In North America two pelicans exist - the American White Pelican and the Brown Pelican. Both are large but the American White is almost twice as heavy as the Brown and is one of the heaviest flighted birds (other heavy birds include swans and condors) in the world. American White Pelicans forage alone and in groups in freshwater habitats. They are well known for cooperative foraging where they encircle and trap groups of fish, drive them into shallow areas, and then, in a coordinated fashion, scoop them up with their bills. When taking off this large and heavy bird has to use both wings and feet. The foot action is somewhat like a breaststroke in human swimming. The pelican pushes with its feet, raises them into, and then strokes again. It usually takes 3-5 strokes along with flapping to get airborne. Once airborne they are graceful and strong fliers and very effective users of thermals.
