The light gray-brown mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) with
its iridescent neck patches and long, tapered tail ("macroura" means
"large" and "tail") is the closest relative to the
Passenger Pigeon which was hunted into extinction in 1914.
Yet the common American backyard bird is also the nation's
most hunted bird, causing ethical
and public relations problems for sportsmen.
"Virtually every issue that puts hunting or wildlife
management issues in the hands of the public starts out with hunters up against
the ropes," lamented the National Rifle Association website when dove
hunting bans appeared on several state ballots.
Not only is the dove cherished as a songbird and symbol of
peace, it's not guilty of overpopulating or eating crops or ornamental plants.
Nor are 3.5 ounce doves filled with shot that has to be
picked out anyone's idea of a favorite meal.
A recipe for "dove with mushrooms" calls for 16
dove breasts--hello--and doves grilled in barbeque sauce according to another
recipe and wrapped in bacon and jalapenos all but disappear wrote a
disappointed outdoors writer.
How many have been bequeathed to bird boys (who didn't want
them either?)
Even the mourning dove's life span is controversial and a PR
problem for dove hunters. Hunting sites give it as one year--read: not much of
a life anyway--while the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory records a mourning
dove living 31 years and 4 months. Big difference.
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