White-winged Doves in New Mexico
When white-winged doves are present in New Mexico, when they nest, which native New Mexico plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9a yard.
- Status in New Mexico
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–August
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
When to expect white-winged doves in New Mexico
White-winged Doves are summer residents in New Mexico, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on saguaro fruit, seeds.
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Nesting in New Mexico
Across New Mexico, white-winged doves typically nest from April–August. Nest site: twig platform in trees. Females lay 1–2 eggs, incubate for 14 days, and young leave the nest after 13–16 days.
Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.
- White-winged Doves don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, black cherry, american elderberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native New Mexico plants that attract white-winged doves
Of the regional native plants we track for New Mexico, these 8 provide food or cover white-winged doves use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Prolific seed heads for finches and sparrows.
Annual native sunflower — the original feeder seed.
Feeding white-winged doves through the New Mexico year
Expanding across Texas cities; often visits nectar feeders in Arizona.
- Best foods: Sunflower, Millet, Cracked corn.
- In New Mexico's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Full diet breakdown for white-winged doves · Best feeder for white-winged doves
Frequently asked
Are white-winged doves in New Mexico year-round?
No. White-winged Doves are summer breeders in New Mexico and leave for the winter.
When do white-winged doves nest in New Mexico?
Nesting in New Mexico typically runs April–August, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–2 eggs, incubated for 14 days.
What native plants attract white-winged doves in New Mexico?
Smooth sumac, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, Cardinal flower, Wild bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Common sunflower are native plants in New Mexico that provide food or cover for white-winged doves.
White-winged Doves in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Mexico
Sources
- White-winged Dove — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-winged Dove life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-winged Dove — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Mexico
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.