Eurasian Collared Dove

[goatgirl]

I saw a mystery bird nesting in a pine tree about 20-30 feet above the ground.  I scoured my Auduban book and couldn't find her.  So I emailed a birding friend and he suggested it was an Eurasian Collared Dove.  If anyone else sees this bird now you know what it is.  Unfortunately, like many introduced species, she competes with local birds and has a negative effect on the local bird population.  These birds were first introduced into Florida and their destructive moved to Texas and is just beginning to hit California. 

Here a website with a good picture comparing them to the mourning dove and Ringed Turtle Dove.  Because of copywright I didn't know if I could include the picture.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/EucdovRitdovID.htm

[makgirl]

[goatgirl]

[Mikeswave]

Which bird ID books do you prefer?

[goatgirl]

I only have the Audoban Western Bird book.  I like it because it has actual pictures instead of drawings.  When I was picking our a bird book I really wanted to id the White Headed Woodpecker.  It was the only book I looked at with photos that had that woodpecker included.  So I based my book selection on that and I love it.   

[makgirl]

[goatgirl]

[makgirl]

here's a picture I was able to get tonight:



Dang, sorry the picture is so big....

[Wrightwood]

Looks like the local flock of band tailed pigeons to me.

[KWBoy]

It sure does!