US Fish & Wildlife Service
Date of this Version
2005
Citation
Dolton, D.D. and R.D. Rau. 2005. Mourning dove population status, 2005. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Maryland, USA. 19 pp.
Abstract
This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 40 years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 40- year period. Between 2004 and 2005, the average number of doves heard per route increased significantly in the Eastern Management Unit, did not change significantly in the Central Unit, and decreased significantly in the Western Unit. Over the most recent 10 years, no significant trend was indicated for doves heard in either the Eastern or Western Management Unit while the Central Unit showed a significant decline. Over the 40-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 40 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a significant decline was indicated for the Western Unit.