Rare Bird Report #11-B-08

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM


SPECIES:  


Eurasian Collared-Dove


HOW MANY:


2


REPORTER:  


Eugene Hunn
18476 47th Pl NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-365-2043


REPORTER EMAIL:  


enhunn323@comcast.net


OTHER OBSERVERS:


none


DATE REPORT PREPARED:  


June 29, 2008


DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:  


June 26, 2008


LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:


one seen at Burley; a second individual seen and heard calling on the east edge of Oakley


HABITAT:


urban fringe


CONDITIONS:


both sightings were of birds perched on phone lines and each was observed for a minute or two in 10 x 50 binocs. Sunny, warm, calm, sun behind.


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?:






DESCRIPTION:  


paler and larger than a Mourning Dove with a narrow black collar on the hind neck and dark gray primaries contrasting with the coverts. Tail square cut, largely white beneath. 


BEHAVIOR:  


Call quite different from Mourning Dove and like Collareds I have heard on numerous occasions. Mourning Doves were common in the vicinity.


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


I am quite familiar with this species as well as with domestic Ring-turtle Doves, Mourning Doves, etc.


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


Calls, size, tail shape, collar, primary color (versus Ring-turtle Dove).


EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):  


They have now become fairly regular in eastern Washington State in the past year or so. I've also seen and heard them in England, Florida, Louisiana, California, Arizona, and Oregon. I presume they are likewise exploding in Idaho and this these sighting will simply clarify the picture of their invasion.


GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:  


 Expert. Since 1965.


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


None