HOW MANY: 1, sex undetermined

REPORTER: Roger D. Blew, 825 Jeri Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402

208-604-2539

REPORTER EMAIL: blew@onewest.net

OTHER OBSERVERS: none

DATE REPORT PREPARED: August 13, 2006

DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: August 13, 2006

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: In Idaho Falls near the intersection of Jeri Ave and Charlene St.

43deg 30.09min N 112deg 03.95min W

HABITAT: backyard

CONDITIONS: Sky clear, wind 10mph from NE, temperature 56F about 30 ft to bird, Nikon 10X42 through window, sun behind me.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, later the same day

DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, during the observation

WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America, David Sibley, 2003

DESCRIPTION: It was obviously a Columbidae. overall pale color, darker primaries and darker near base of tail. "Ring" on back of neck.

BEHAVIOR: Flew through backyard, landed on telephone line crossing backyard. It flew near sunflower feeder before landing. Sat looking toward feeder. House finches (~12) on feeder and near feeder.

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

The large size, pale appearance made me initially suspect Eurasion Collared Dove. Seeing neck ring once it landed confirmed.

HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Larger, heavier, paler than Mourning dove.

Slimer, paler than Rock Dove

Only other possiblity with "collar" is Ringed Turtle Dove not likely seen here.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):

I have seen the species before at my parents home in Kansas during two trips there in the spring and fall of 2005. My mother and I had discussed the field marks as she was trying to ID it a year or so earlier.

GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I have a PhD in Ecology (plants and soils). Took ornithology as an undergraduate about 25 years ago. Use bird ID skill occaisionally at work, but rely mostly on my wildlife biologists.

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

None