Rare Bird Report #: 12-B-07

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES:

Eurasian Collared-Dove

HOW MANY:

4

REPORTER:

Cliff Weisse
4125 Beaver Springs Rd.
Island Park, ID 83429

REPORTER EMAIL:

cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

OTHER OBSERVERS:

Darren Clark
riversilt@hotmail.com

DATE REPORT PREPARED:

1/30/2007

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:

1/27/2007

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:

Near the north end of Hagerman on Rt 30. All four birds were in a yard on the west side of the road.

HABITAT:

Rural yard

CONDITIONS:

About one minute total. Optics used were 10 x 42 Nikon Premier binoculars. It was bright but foggy so they were not in bright sunlight.

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:

Large pale creamy tan colored doves with long square tails. Tails had extensive white corners. While perched all four birds had dark gray undertail coverts that contrasted with creamy belly and white distal end of tail. Black semi-collar was seen on nape of two individuals.

BEHAVIOR:

When first noticed one bird flew across the road and landed near a second bird. In flight the square tail and white corners were seen. Flight was similar to that of Rock Pigeon with slower wing beats and slower appearing flight than Mourning Dove. We recognized them as EC Doves so we turned around and went looking for them. We found four birds perched in two seperate trees and drove close enough to see the undertail coverts clearly.

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

I immediately recognized the first bird I saw in flight, as did Darren. The dark gray undertail coverts clinched the ID.

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

Mourning Dove is smaller, darker, has pointed tail, and lacks the contrasting dark undertail coverts.

White-winged Dove has obvious white patch on folded wing and in flight which these birds lacked.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):

I see Eurasian Collared-Doves numerous times each year and have done so for the past five years or so. I see numerous Mourning Doves throughout the summer months. I've seen one White-winged Dove.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:

14 years

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

None