ZENAIDA ASIATICA: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, FEEDING - BIOLOGY - 2024

The Asian Zenaida or white-winged pigeon is a kind of pigeon that is characterized by a white stripe on the lower edge of its wings. It was first described in 1758 by the Swedish scientist Carlos Linnaeus, who initially named it Columba Asiatica. It was not until 1944 when it was assigned to the genus Zenaida.

It has an average life of 10 years and gregarious customs. This means that they tend to establish groups with a common purpose, which can be food, survival, or even both. Likewise, like other birds, they are monogamous.

Specimen of Zenaida asiatica. Source: Hondurasbiologica

Likewise, they have migratory habits, since during the coldest months of the year, those that are further north of the American continent move further south, to Central America and Mexico, where the climate is friendlier and more favorable, for making it easier for them to find food sources.

Taxonomy

• Domain: Eukarya
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Edge: Chordata
• Class: Birds
• Order: Columbiformes
• Family: Columbidae
• Genre: Zenaida
• Species: Asian zenaida

characteristics

The specimens of Zenaida Asiatica are medium in size, measuring up to approximately 31 centimeters. Its average weight is 145 grams. Its plumage is brownish in color. It has a characteristic black spot on both sides of the neck. The head is also brown in color, while the crown can be purple or reddish-purple.

On the wings it has a white stripe. This constitutes a distinctive element in the phenotype of this species. The skin around the eyes is blue and the iris is orange.

The bird's beak is black and narrow in size, while the legs are carmine or purple-red.

Specimen seen up close. Note the blue halo around the eye and the orange color of the iris. Source: Alan Vernon

Habitat and distribution

Zenaida Asiatica is found in the American continent, specifically in the Caribbean area, mainly in the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles and the San Andrés and Providencia islands in Colombia.

Similarly, it is found in the southwestern part of the United States, throughout the Mexican territory and in all the countries of Central America. However, this distribution does not remain so throughout the year, since during the winter months it embarks on a migratory route to Mexico.

When it comes to the habitat these birds prefer, it is generally found near populated areas. It prefers bushes, savannas and the edges of forests, as well as arid areas where there are thorny shrubs and cacti.

Feeding

Diet

The diet of the Asian Zenaida is varied and is determined by the environment in which it develops. Among their favorite foods are the seeds of numerous plants, as well as specimens that even feed on acorns have been reported. They also eat small fruits like small berries. Likewise, it has been fully demonstrated that they feed on cultivated grains.

In the same way, it has been recorded in their behavior that they approach large flowers; it is believed that they are attracted by its nectar, although the mechanism by which they access it is unknown.

Mechanism of digestion

When it comes to how they process food, like many birds, the digestive system of pigeons has certain peculiarities that other living beings do not have.

The stomach in pigeons is divided into two parts, the proventriculus and the gizzard. In the first, hydrochloric acid and other enzymes are secreted whose function is to begin to process the ingested food.

The gizzard is a distinctly muscular structure. It is covered by a layer of a protein substance that is hard in consistency. This layer has the function of protecting the gizzard from the action of the small stones that the animal has ingested.

It is important to mention that pigeons tend to ingest small stones, which together are known as grit. This is stored in the gizzard and its function is to crush and grind the grains and seeds that the animal ingests.

Once the food has been processed in the gizzard, the result passes to the intestine. In these birds, the intestine is extremely short, almost entirely the small intestine. Here, the food from the gizzard is subjected to the action of various proteolytic, amylolytic and lipolytic enzymes, which are contained in the pancreatic juice. Bile also acts on food by processing fats.

Later, in the same small intestine, the nutrients are absorbed to be used by the cells of the pigeon. Finally, the waste accumulates in the rectum and is then excreted through the hole known as the cloaca.

Reproduction

Courtship

As in many birds, the Asian Zenaida has a courtship ritual that occurs prior to the mating process.

The courtship process in this species of pigeon consists of the male making a flight in which he first rises, to later glide very low, describing wide circles. Next, it lands on the ground and unfolds its tail by lifting it. It makes quick movements in order to display and show off its plumage.

Finally, both pigeons (female and male) move their heads in recognition and acceptance and proceed to mutually clean their plumage.

Fertilization

The type of fertilization of the Asian Zenaida is internal, that is, it occurs inside the body of the female.

For this process to occur, the male joins his cloaca to that of the female and transfers his sperm to her. This is known as a cloacal kiss. The sperm is introduced into a hole in the cloaca that leads to the oviduct and finally to the ovum for the union of the gametes to occur.

Development

After 10 days of fertilization, the female lays an egg. Two days later, place another egg. The eggs are characterized by being white or beige. They have average measurements of 31 millimeters by 23 millimeters and an approximate weight of 7 grams.

Both the female and the male can incubate the eggs. The incubation period ranges from 13 to 18 days. At the end of this period the eggs hatch, releasing the young. These remain in the nest for approximately 16 days, in which they are fed by their parents with what is known as "crop milk". Finally they leave the nest and can eat by themselves.

References

1. American Ornithologist Union (AOU). Check-list of North American birds, 7th edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, DC
2. Buhlmann, K. and Gibbons, J. (1995). Observations of a White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) on the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. The Chat. 59
3. Curtis, H., Barnes, N., Schnek, A. and Massarini, A. (2008). Biology. Editorial Médica Panamericana. 7th Edition.
4. Hickman, CP, Roberts, LS, Larson, A., Ober, WC, & Garrison, C. (2001). Integrated principles of zoology (Vol. 15). McGraw-Hill.
5. Restall, R., C. Rodner & M. Lentino. (2006). Birds of northern South America: an identification guide, vol 2. Yale University Press. New Haven, CT.
6. Strewe, R., Villa de León, C., Navarro, C., Alzate, J. and Utría, G. (2016). First documented record of the White-winged Thrush (Zenaida Asiatic) in South America. Colombian ornithology. 15. 90-93