White-winged doves, common and adaptable across the Southwestern US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, have a diet fundamental to their survival and habitat choices. Primarily granivorous, they consume grains and seeds, but also incorporate fruits, berries, pollen, and nectar. This varied consumption allows them to thrive in diverse environments, from deserts and scrublands to urban settings.
Natural Foraging Habits
In their native desert habitats, white-winged doves rely heavily on specific plant species. Saguaro cactus fruit, seeds, pollen, and nectar are important food sources, especially for western populations during breeding season. These doves time their migration to the Sonoran Desert to coincide with the saguaro’s fruiting schedule. They can obtain both nutrients and water from saguaro fruit, which is particularly beneficial during hot, dry periods.
Beyond saguaros, white-winged doves consume seeds and fruits from a variety of wild plants. This includes seeds from mesquite, palo verde, and ironwood trees. They forage by eating seeds directly from plant heads, unlike some other dove species that primarily feed on the ground. While they are primary seed consumers, they also contribute to seed dispersal by regurgitating seeds or passing them through their digestive system.
Dietary Adaptations and Supplemental Sources
White-winged doves exhibit opportunistic feeding behaviors, adapting their diet to seasonal availability and human presence. As their range has expanded, particularly into urban and agricultural areas, their diet has diversified to include supplemental food sources. They commonly consume cultivated grains such as corn, wheat, sorghum, sunflower, and milo, often feeding directly from seed heads in agricultural fields. This behavior can sometimes lead to them being considered agricultural pests due to their large flocks.
In residential areas, white-winged doves frequently visit bird feeders, where they readily eat seeds like sunflower, milo, corn, and safflower. They are also known to eat berries from shrubs and occasionally acorns. Their ability to utilize these human-provided food sources has contributed to their increasing presence in suburban environments.
Harmful Foods
While white-winged doves are adaptable, certain foods commonly consumed by humans can be harmful to them. Processed foods, including bread, offer little nutritional value. Moldy bread can also contain harmful bacteria.
Foods high in salt, such as salted nuts or crisps, are toxic because birds cannot process high levels of sodium, leading to dehydration and kidney problems. Chocolate contains theobromine that is toxic to birds and can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, and even death. Avocado also poses a risk, containing persin that can cause heart damage and respiratory issues.
Dairy products are not digestible by birds due to lactose intolerance. Sugary foods like cakes and sweets also lack essential nutrients.