Michael E. Morrow

Comparison of observed age at post-juvenal primary molt of wild mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) with predicted ages from 5 published aging studies revealed differences (P < 0.1) for all comparisons. Observed molt occurred at an older (P < 0.0001) age than predicted by the current standard for aging juvenile doves. A new model for aging mourning dove juveniles using molt data from primaries 1-9 is presented based on data collected from wild birds on the Texas A&M University Campus. The wide range in observed age at molt of primary 10 precluded its use in these analyses.

Predicted hatching distributions of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) derived from post-juvenal primary molt data obtained from (1) trapped samples throughout the year and (2) trapped samples from September-October only, were compared to hatching distributions observed in nesting studies during 1981 and 1982. A good fit of the predicted distribution to the observed was obtained in 1981, but not in 1982. It appears that sampling intensity and uniformity are major factors influencing how well primary feather molt data predicts hatching distributions. As a result, sampling of molt data during...

Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) were banded pre-season (May-August) on the Texas A&M University campus as nestlings, free-flying juveniles, or adults. Analysis of direct hunter recoveries revealed no differences (P> 0.05) between the 3 banding classes and recovery distance. Calculation of survival rates from capture-recapture data indicated that adult survival (46.2%) was higher (P < 0.0001) than first year survival of immatures (free-flying juveniles 18.0%, nestlings 19.5%).

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) nests were located on the Texas A&M University campus during the 1981-1982 nesting seasons. Daily survival rates, calculated using nests and individuals as units of analysis, were compared for eggs, nestlings, and eggs and nestlings combined. No difference (P > 0.05) was detected in any of the comparisons, indicating that equivalent data were obtained by knowing only the fate of the nest and not of individuals within the nest. Thus, disturbance at the nest can be minimized without loss of accuracy. Nest data tended to underestimate survival for eggs...

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) nests were located on the Texas A&M University Campus from February-October 1981. Mortality differed between the various stages of the nesting cycle, and in different months within each stage. The number of days in which wind speed exceeded 27.6 km/h (15 kts) each month explained 34% of the variability (P =0.10) associated with total nesting mortality. Mean monthly temperature was positively correlated (P < 0.10) with mortality occurring during the 1st nestling week and negatively correlated during the 2nd week after hatching. Loss of nestlings was...