Rare Bird Report 106-B-07

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

RARE BIRD REPORT FORM



SPECIES:  



Eurasian Collared-Dove



HOW MANY:



2



REPORTER:  



Terry Gray

890 Stefany Ln

Moscow ID 83843



208-882-1585



REPORTER EMAIL:  



clgtlg@moscow.com



OTHER OBSERVERS:



Terry Gray



DATE REPORT PREPARED:  



11/29/2007



DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:  



11/28/2007



LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:



Birds are being observed regularly approximately 3 miles south of Moscow, Idaho West of Highway 95 and just north of Valhalla Trailer Court or on the very northern edge of the trailer court.



HABITAT:



Trailer Court near Ag Fields



CONDITIONS:



I have been observing these birds since early July of 2007.  Originally there were 3 birds and I have seen as many as 8 and on November 27th there were four birds and on November 28th there were two on the Telephone wires near a grain storage building just north of the trailer court.  It was a cool cloudy day with no wind and the temperature was about 30 degrees F.  Observed with bionoculars and took photos.



DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:  



No, not at all



DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:  



No, not at all



WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:



When first observed in July I used The Sibley Field Guide to Birs of Western North America and National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America.



DESCRIPTION:  



Observed two doves on a Telephone wire.  Both birds were a light in color, brown to gray.  Both birds had obvious Dark Neck-ring and dark Primaries with black outer web and with long tail which was not pointed but squarred and very white on under side looking up at the bird.  Birds had dark bill and dark eyes from the angle I was observing them from.



BEHAVIOR:  



This is the first time that the birds have not flown when approached in a vehicle and I was able to drive directly under these birds.  I have seen them down picking up spilled grain in the road or near a grain storage building.  They do not mix with a few Mourning Doves that I have seen in the area.  I have not heard these birds vocalize!



HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?



I have been observing these birds for a number of months and they are obviously slightly larger than the MODO's in the area and lighter in color.  Positively ID'd this species when first observed them in July 2007.  Had previously seen in Colfax, Washington in early spring of 2007.



HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?



Birds were obviousssly larger and lighter in color than a MODO.  Neck-ring and square white tail with black primaries makes this bird unique in this area.



EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):  



 Been seeing this species off and on all year.



GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:  



 Been an active birder leading field trips for the past 7 to 8 years.  I am confident that I am a good birder and ID birds correctly, because I am careful to check my field guides and check with others if I have doubts.



WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?:  



 Photo