The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting its annual art contest to select the design for the state’s 2024-2025 upland game bird stamp. The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and older, excluding current and former CDFW employees. The 2024-2025 stamp will feature the white-winged dove, and entries will be accepted from Oct. 28 through Dec. 6.

The white-winged dove is slightly larger and a bit more plump than the mourning dove. These brown-gray doves have a white edge to their folded wing and a dark cheek line. The iris of an adult is red and is set off by a brilliant blue “eyeshadow”. In flight, this dove surprises with white-tipped outer tail feathers, while the white coverts become a flashy mid-wing stripe standing boldly against its dark primary feathers. White-winged doves now commonly breed in the arid southern desert region of the state between April and August. Though they are regular visitors in agricultural communities, their occurrence here is thought to be recent and in part supported by the filling of the Salton Sea. White-winged doves mostly overwinter in Mexico and Central America and play an important ecological role in aiding the pollination of the giant saguaro cactus. While the doves utilize the fruit and nectar of the cactus, they also aid the cactus in distributing its seeds.

Entries must include at least one white-winged dove, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

For contest information and entry forms, visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a judging event in December.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach. CDFW sells more than 150,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectible stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.