Evaluation of an Electronic Device for Counting the Calls of White-Winged Doves

In Texas, white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica) populations are indexed by subjective determinations of their level of calling. An electronic call-counter was developed and tested as a potentially more objective way to measure level of calling in white-winged dove colonies. Major features were a frequency filter to eliminate non-whitewing noise,use of a parabolic reflector to reduce the sound-reception angle, and a sensitivity switch to control the signal amplitude accepted. The call-counter worked satisfactorily during extensive field testing. The relationship between calling measured by the device and active nests was positive. Additional research is needed on the relationship between calling and nest density in white-winged dove populations.