Influence of temperature and other factors on the daily roosting times of Mourning Doves in winter

Abstract

From November 1992 to February 1993, observations were made during 30 departures and 30 arrivals at a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) roost in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Our objective was to identify the effect of cold on the timing of roosting flights in this species, a recent addition to the local wintering fauna. The effect of other environmental factors was taken into account by including them, along with temperature, in a multiple regression analysis. Doves left the roost later relative to sunrise (i) on longer days, (ii) on cloudy mornings, (iii) when fewer birds were using the roosts, (iv) on colder mornings, and (v) when winds were high. They returned to the roost later relative to sunset (i) on colder evenings and (ii) in clear weather. Late arrivals on colder days represent an unusual finding. Anatomical and behavioural considerations suggest that Mourning Doves cannot reduce heat loss as substantially as other species; therefore, late arrivals on cold evenings may reflect the more important role of energy gain through extended foraging required to survive the long winter night.