BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

White-tipped Dove

ColumbidaeGeneralistsLeptotila verreauxi

White-tipped Dove has surged: up 631% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

+631%Since 1974TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
33RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
48Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the White-tipped Dove

The White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) is a North American member of the Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the generalists.

Size
6–14.5 in long (15–37 cm) — a plump-bodied bird (typical for the family)
Habitat
A broad range of open and wooded habitats, often near people.
Diet
An opportunistic mix of insects, seeds, fruit and scraps.
Range
Recorded on 33 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 1 state, most concentrated in the Tamaulipan Brushlands.
Family
Columbidae · Generalists

Notable White-tipped Dove TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for White-tipped Dove. See the full index history below.

White-tipped Dove Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, White-tipped Dove is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.01–0.04). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±110.5%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
0.02Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.01–0.0495% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±110.5%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, White-tipped Dove is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.01–0.04). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±110.5%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19712029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20250.020.010.04
20260.020.010.04
20270.020.010.04
20280.020.010.04
20290.020.010.04

Where the White-tipped Dove Is Detected

BBS routes recording White-tipped Dove, sized by most recent count.

White-tipped Dove Population Trend by State

White-tipped Dove population trend by state.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Texas+583%197433

White-tipped Dove Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

White-tipped Dove population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Tamaulipan Brushlands+672%197423
Gulf Coastal Prairie+205%19906

White-tipped Dove Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 631% since 1974.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.