Gender Identification of White-winged Doves

Research Task: 8327CNJ.3.0
Task Manager: Sara Oyler-McCance

White-winged Doves (Zenaida asiatica) are a popular game bird in states with large populations of this species, where hunting seasons are regulated to prevent local over-harvest. More knowledge is needed on population characteristics, including population demography in both the Central Flyway and Pacific Flyway portions of the species' range, to set hunting regulations. Information should be specific by age and gender since hunting could overexploit one gender or age class. Gender determination of White-winged Doves based on examination of live birds is difficult. Thus, a rapid and effective method is needed to ascertain gender of White-winged Doves in banding programs, especially those that are likely to result in the capture of large numbers of individuals. FORT geneticists have tested the efficiency of using the length of tail feathers to ascertain gender and have validated this method using molecular sexing techniques.

 For more information contact Sara Oyler-McCance

Publications

• Gender identification of white-winged doves
• Genetic applications in avian conservation
• FORT Molecular Ecology Laboratory [website]