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This report summarizes information collected annually in the United States on survival, recruitment, abundance and harvest of mourning doves. We report on trends in the number of doves heard per route from the Mourning Dove Call-count Survey (CCS), doves seen per route from the CCS, birds heard and seen per route from the all-bird Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and provide absolute abundance estimates based on band recovery and harvest data. Harvest and hunter participation are estimated from the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). The CCS-heard data provided evidence that abundance of doves decreased in all three dove management units (Eastern [EMU], Central [CMU], and Western [WMU]) during the long term (1966–2012); within the EMU, however, there is evidence that abundance decreased in hunt states but increased in nonhunt states. In the recent 10 years there was no evidence for a change in mourning dove abundance in the EMU, but there was evidence of a decline in the CMU and WMU. Over the most recent two years there was no evidence for a change in abundance in any of the management units. Over the long term, trends based on CCS-heard and CCS-seen data were consistent in the CMU and WMU, but inconsistent in the EMU; CCS-seen data indicated that abundance increased in the EMU. BBS data provided evidence that the abundance of mourning doves over the long-term increased in the EMU and decreased in the CMU and WMU. Thus, over the long term, the three data sets provided consistent results for the CMU and WMU but not the EMU. Estimates of absolute abundance are available only since 2003 and indicate that there are about 308 million doves in the United States, and abundance during the recent 5 years appears stable in the EMU and WMU, but may be declining in the CMU. Based on a composite trend (weighted trend estimate using information from the CCS, BBS, and absolute abundance), the EMU and WMU populations were stationary over the previous 5 and 10 years whereas

Singing-ground Survey data for 2012 indicate that indices for singing American woodcock (Scolopax minor) males in the Eastern and Central Management Regions are not significantly different from 2011. There was no significant 10-year trend for woodcock heard in the Eastern or Central Management Regions during 2002-12. This marks the ninth consecutive year that the 10-year trend estimate was not significant in the Eastern Region and the second year that the 10-year trend in the Central Management Region was non-significant. Both regions have a longterm (1968-12) declining trend of -0.8 % per year. The 2011 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.68 immatures per adult female) was 13.7% greater than the 2010 index and 2.5% greater than the long-term regional index, while the recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.53 immatures per adult female) was 0.8% lower than the 2010 index and was 2.6% lower than the long-term regional index. Estimates from the Harvest Information Program indicated that U.S. woodcock hunters in the Eastern Region spent 156,000 days afield and harvested 77,000 woodcock during the 2011-12 season, while in the Central Region, hunters spent 350,500 days afield and harvested 231,700 woodcock.

Singing-ground Survey data for 2008 indicated that the numbers of displaying American woodcock (Scolopax minor) in the Central Region declined 9.2 % from 2007; however, the Eastern Region was unchanged. There was no significant 10-year trend for woodcock heard in the Eastern Region during 1998-2008, while there was a significant decline in the Central Region. This represents the fifth consecutive year that the 10-year trend estimate did not indicate a significant decline in the Eastern Region, while it marks the first time since 2003 that the Central Region has had a declining 10-year trend. There were long-term (1968-08) declines of -1.2 % per year in the Eastern Region and -1.1 % per year in the Central Region. The 2007 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 4.2 % greater than the 2006 index and 3.6 % lower than the long-term regional index. The 2007 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 9.7 % lower than the 2006 index and was 7.6 % lower than the long-term regional index. The Harvest Information Program indicated that U.S. woodcock hunters in the Eastern Region spent 144,979 days afield and harvested 75,882 woodcock during the 2007-08 season, while in the Central Region, hunters spent 358,480 days afield and harvested nearly 214,162 woodcock.

Mourning Dove Population Status, 2008 This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 43 years within the conterminous United States. Between 2007 and 2008, the average number of doves heard per route decreased significantly in the Eastern and Central Management Units, but did not change significantly in the Western Unit. Over the most recent 10 years, no significant trend was indicated for doves heard in either the Eastern or Western Management Units while the Central Unit showed a significant decline. Over the 43-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, no significant trends were found for any of the three Management Units. Over 43 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a significant decline was indicated for the Western Unit. White-Winged Dove Status in Arizona, 2008 The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) has monitored white-winged dove populations by means of a call-count survey to provide an annual index to population size. It runs concurrently with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mourning Dove Call-count Survey. The index peaked at 52.3 mean number doves heard per route in 1968, but fell precipitously in the late 1970s. The index has stabilized to around 25 doves per route in the last few years; in 2008, the mean number of doves heard per route was 26.9. AGFD also monitors harvest. Harvest during the 15-day season (September 1-15) peaked in the late 1960’s at ~740,000 birds (1968 AGFD estimate) and has since stabilized at around 100,000 birds; the 2006 Harvest Information Program (HIP) estimate was 127,600 birds. In 2007, Arizona redesigned their dove harvest survey questionnaire to sample only from hunters registered under HIP. In the future, AGFD and HIP harvest estimates should be more comparable than they have been in the past. Band-Tailed Pigeon Population Status, 2008 This report summarizes inform

This report summarizes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey (CCS) information on numbers of mourning doves heard and seen gathered over the last 42 years within the conterminous United States. Between 2006 and 2007, the average number of doves heard per route increased significantly in the Eastern Management Unit, but did not change significantly in the Central and Western Units. Over the most recent 10-year interval, no significant trend was indicated for doves heard in either the Eastern or Western Management Units while the Central Unit showed a significant decline. Over the 42-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines in mourning doves heard. In contrast, over the 10-year period, no significant trends were found in any of the three Management Units using the metric of doves seen. Over 42 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a significant decline was indicated for the Western Unit.

Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the numbers of displaying American woodcock (Scolopax minor) in the Eastern Region in 2007 declined 11.6% from 2006; however, the Central Region was unchanged. There was no significant trend in woodcock heard in either the Eastern or Central Region during 1997-07. This represents the fourth consecutive year that the 10-year trend estimate did not indicate a significant decline. There were long-term (1968-07) declines of 2.0% per year in the Eastern Region and 1.8% per year in the Central Region. The 2006 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 7% lower than the 2005 index, and 8% lower than the long-term regional average. The 2006 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 11% higher than the 2005 index, and 2% higher than the long-term regional average. The Harvest Information Program indicated that U.S. woodcock hunters in the Eastern Region spent 144,200 days afield and harvested 78,000 birds during the 2006-07 season. In the Central Region, U.S. hunters spent 344,300 days afield and harvested 232,600 woodcock.

Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the numbers of displaying American woodcock (Scolopax minor) in the Eastern Region in 2006 was unchanged from 2005; however, the Central Region experienced an 8% decline. There was no significant trend in woodcock heard in either the Eastern or Central Region during 1996-06. This represents the third consecutive year since 1992 that the 10-year trend estimate did not indicate a significant decline. There were longterm (1968-06) declines of 1.9% per year in the Eastern Region and 1.8% per year in the Central Region. The 2005 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 17% lower than the 2004 index (2.0 immatures per adult female), and 1% lower than the long-term regional average. The 2005 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.5 immatures per adult female) was 9% higher than the 2004 index (1.3 immatures per adult female), but was 9% below the long-term regional average. The preliminary 2005 recruitment index for eastern Canada was 2.2 immatures per adult female. The Harvest Information Program indicated that U.S. woodcock hunters in the Eastern Region spent 164,200 days afield and harvested 72,200 birds during the 2005-06 season. In the Central Region, U.S. hunters spent 356,100 days afield and harvested 225,000 woodcock. In Canada, 4,200 successful woodcock hunters harvested 28,500 birds during the 2005-06 season.

This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 41 years within the conterminous United States. Between 2005 and 2006, the average number of doves heard per route did not change significantly in the Eastern Management Unit, decreased significantly in the Central Unit, and increased significantly in the Western Unit. Over the most recent 10 years, no significant trend was indicated for doves heard in either the Eastern or Western Management Units while the Central Unit showed a significant decline. Over the 41-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over 41 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a significant decline was indicated for the Western Unit.

Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the numbers of displaying American woodcock (Scolopax minor) in the Eastern and Central Regions in 2005 were unchanged from 2004. There was not a significant trend in woodcock heard on the Singing-ground Survey in either the Eastern or Central Region during 1995-05. This represents the second consecutive year since 1992 that the 10-year trend estimate for either region was not a significant decline. There were long-term (1968-05) declines of 2.0% per year in the Eastern Region and 1.8% per year in the Central Region. The 2004 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Eastern Region (2.0 immatures per adult female) was 34% higher than the 2003 index (1.5 immatures per adult female), and 19% higher than the long-term regional average. The 2004 recruitment index for the U.S. portion of the Central Region (1.3 immatures per adult female) was slightly lower than the 2003 index (1.4 immatures per adult female), and 17% below the long-term regional average. The preliminary 2004 recruitment index for eastern Canada was 2.8 immatures per adult female. The Harvest Information Program indicated that U.S. woodcock hunters in the Eastern Region spent 135,400 days afield and harvested 61,500 birds during the 2004-05 season. In the Central Region, U.S. hunters spent 366,100 days afield and harvested 234,800 woodcock. In Canada, 4,808 successful woodcock hunters harvested 33,493 birds during the 2004-05 season.

This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 40 years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 40- year period. Between 2004 and 2005, the average number of doves heard per route increased significantly in the Eastern Management Unit, did not change significantly in the Central Unit, and decreased significantly in the Western Unit. Over the most recent 10 years, no significant trend was indicated for doves heard in either the Eastern or Western Management Unit while the Central Unit showed a significant decline. Over the 40-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over 40 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a significant decline was indicated for the Western Unit.

This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 39 years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 39-year period. Between 2003 and 2004, the average number of doves heard per route decreased significantly in the Eastern and Central Management Units. No change was detected in the Western Unit. Over the most recent 10 years, no significant trend was indicated for doves heard in any management unit. Over the 39-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over 39 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline was indicated for the Western Unit.

This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 38 years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 38-year period. Between 2002 and 2003, the average number of doves heard per route decreased significantly in the Eastern Management Unit. No change was detected in the Central and Western Units. Over the most recent 10 years, no trend was indicated for doves heard in any management unit. Over the 38-year period, all 3 units exhibited significant declines. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over 38 years, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline was indicated for the Western Unit.

This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 37years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 37-year period. Between 2001 and 2002, the average number of doves heard per route increased significantly in the Western Management Unit. No change was detected for the Eastern and Central Units. Over the most recent 10 and 37-year periods, significant declines were indicated for doves heard in the Central and Western Units. Additionally, in the Eastern Management Unit, a significant decline was detected over 37 years while there was no trend indicated over the most recent 10 years. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Units. Over the 37- year period, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline was indicated for t he Western Unit.

This report includes Mourning Dove Call-count Survey information gathered over the last 36 years within the conterminous United States. Trends were calculated for the most recent 2- and 10-year intervals and for the entire 36-year period. Between 2000 and 2001, the average number of doves heard per route decreased significantly in the Eastern and Central Management Units. No change was detected for the Western Unit. Over the most recent 10 and 36-year periods, significant declines were indicated for doves heard in the Central and Western Units. Additionally, in the Eastern Management Unit, a significant decline was detected over the most recent 10 years while there was no trend indicated over 36 years. In contrast, for doves seen over the 10-year period, a significant increase was found in the Eastern Unit while no trends were found in the Central and Western Unit. Over the 36-year period, no trend was found for doves seen in the Eastern and Central Units while a decline was indicated for the Western Unit.