White-winged Dove loves Saguaro Fruit

Photo by Bill Whiting

Saguaro fruits ripen in June, producing over 2000 seeds each.  Notice how they splay open, looking like a red flower?  This white-winged dove loves the sweet, ruby-red fruit.  In the USA, these birds can only be found in the Southwestern states.  They look like mourning doves, except for the distinctive white stripe on the wing, which is very prominent when they fly.  Don't mistake them for their larger cousins, the rock doves, or common pigeons, who have adapted too well to city life.  White-winged doves prefer nesting in citrus and mesquite trees over building ledges.  They are, however, mistaken for owls.  How?  With their "Hhhooo-hoooo-hoo-hoooo."