Range:

West and southwest United States; Florida and warmer eastern states; sometimes Mexico, South America and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Habitat:

Brushlands, citrus groves, cities and suburbs.

Characteristics:

Brownish-gray above and gray below with a bold white wing patch that appears as a brilliant white crescent in flight. It is also visible during rest. Adults have blue, featherless skin around each eye and a long dark mark on the lower face. Their eyes, legs and feet are red. Juveniles are grayer than adults and have no blue eye-ring and their legs and feet are brownish-pink.

Behavior:

Usually a gregarious bird by nature. White-wings feed together in large flocks especially after nesting season. Flocks usually range from a few to fifty, but have been observed in flight with as many as 3-4,000! May fly 25 miles or more for food and water. Drink from stock tanks, windmill troughs, reservoirs, streams, etc.

Reproduction:

Males attract females with a courtship behavior of cooing and visual displays. They aggressively defend territory and will spar with wing slaps if necessary. Attracted females join the male in their courtship ceremony. Over 2-5 days the pair build a nest of grasses and weed stems. 1-4 dull cream colored, unmarked eggs are laid and incubated by both the male and female for 11-14 days.