US Fish & Wildlife Service
Date of this Version
2003
Citation
Dolton, D.D., and R.D. Rau. 2003. Mourning dove population status, 2003. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Maryland. 27 pp.
Abstract
This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 38 years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 38-year period. Between 2002 and 2003, the average number of doves heard per route decreased significantly in the Eastern Management Unit. No change was detected in the Central and Western Units. Over the most recent 10 years, no trend was indicated for doves heard in any management unit. Over the 38-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over 38 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline was indicated for the Western Unit.