Population Status of Zenaida Doves and Other Columbids in the Virgin Islands

Strip surveys of Zenaida doves (Zenaida aurita) were conducted for 5 years on St. Croix and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Nest surveys were also conducted on uninhabited, mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) -free offshore cays. Dove numbers increased in spring before nesting and decreased in fall after young fledged. A seasonal migration is the most likely explanation for the seasonal population fluctuations. Nest success was highest in cliff sites and lowest in grass. The continuous presence of scaly-naped (Columba squamosa) and white-crowned (C. leucocephala) pigeons was confirmed.