Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Mesa, Maricopa County

This leucistic Mourning Dove was found and photographed by Bernie Howe on 25 July 2015

Leucistic native doves are rarely reported.

Leucistic dove with reduced pigmentation throughout, though the primaries are slightly darker. It also has pink legs and feet plus bill. The eyes have dark red in them. The possibility that this could be a domestic dove, such as a white breed of African Collared Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) has been suggested, and the broad tail and primaries is suggestive of this. Though this possibility exists the tail and wings appear to be within range of a young Mourning Dove and the head shape (lacking a distinctive bump on the forehead) is atypical for a Streptopelia dove and typical of Mourning.

25 July 2015, photo by Bernie Howe

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