White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (formerly; Melopelia leucoptera and Melopelia asiatica; protonym; Columba asiatica), photographed at Houston, Texas, USA.
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 5 April 2011 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/350s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400
Question: This distinctive North American mystery bird plays an important ecological role in its breeding habitat. Can you tell me more about what is this role?
Response: This is an adult White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica, stretching a wing. This North American species became famous after singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks mentioned it in her hit single, "Edge of Seventeen".
White-winged doves are neotropical doves that are native to the deserts of the southwestern USA, Mexico and extending into Central America. For that reason, I have no clue why their specific name is asiatica (although they've been renamed several times, and even given a different species name of leucoptera, which translates as "white wing"). This species plays an important ecological role by helping to disperse seeds of the saguaro cactus (the fruits of which they depend upon) through their feces or by regurgitating them to their young.
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