A non-indigenous species of dove has made the Robertsdale/Summerdale area its new home. The number of dove species in the area has tripled in the last 10 years, from our native Mourning Dove, to include the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Turtle Dove) and White Winged Dove.

The White-Wing is our newest arrival, as they began roosting near Summerdale School about three years ago, and have now become year-round residents. They were preceded only five years earlier by the larger pigeon-like Collared-Doves which migrated from the Bahamas through Florida and are now a widespread species.

From there the population grew and fast, so fast, that Alabama has become the only state in the union besides Texas to have these birds incorporated into Mourning Dove bag limits during hunting season.

The current population started right here in central Baldwin County, after migrating along the Gulf Coast from the dense mesquite of Texas and Saguaro-Ploverde deserts of Mexico. It can often be found in town during the day and then move further out into rural areas during the afternoon to begin feeding at dusk. They can be seen on power lines adjacent to feed crops along the side of many a county road as it gets later in the afternoon.

White-winged doves are distinguishable from their Mourning cousins by a shorter tail, prominent black wingtips and a striking white line running along the wing when the bird is at rest. Its call differs slightly from the Mourning Dove and bears a similarity to who-cooks-for-you, but has numerous variations. It also lacks the fluttering whistle so characteristic of a startled dove taking flight.

This new species is legal to hunt and great to eat, an enjoyment surpassed only by the pleasure of seeing one for yourself.