ML169124981

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Possibly 2. Similar size to Mourning Dove, but paler, with shorter, square tail, shorter primary projection, lacking black spots. Lightly contrasting primaries, red iris indicating adult, subtle blue-gray at bend of wing, undertail coverts same shade of white as tail feathers, undertail coverts extend beyond the dark color on undertail feathers, collar at back of neck like Eurasian-collared Dove. EUCD is abundant here, saw dozens of them in the vicinity. This bird distinctly smaller. Eliminating EUCD since this bird is: smaller, outer web of outer tail feathers white, no black spur on undertail, undertail coverts white, not gray, showing no contrast with color of tail feathers. Undertail coverts extend beyond the dark proximal band on undertail feathers. Primary projection short, tail short. We knew as we birded this neighborhood that African Collared-Dove was once abundant here, especially in this part of St. Pete, so we paid special attention to this dove's undertail coverts, tail, and primary feathers, until it flew off to the north. We followed the bird and found 3 collared doves in a tree behind a home, 2 of which were much smaller than the third which was obviously EUCD. We could not get a good enough look at the 2 smaller doves undertail coverts to make the id before they took off to the south. Could a handful still be breeding here? Or perhaps some fresh escapees? African-Collared Dove, formerly Ringed Turtle-Dove, were regularly recorded in this part of St. Pete through the 1990's. A flock of 50 were recorded in 1988 just 1.5 miles from where I saw this bird. AFCD has been reported extremely cautiously and sporadically since the early 90's, when EUCD moved in to St. Pete, primarily because they were believed to be hybridizing with EUCD. AFCD, while similar, is noticeably smaller than EUCD, and has clear, diagnostic field marks, as noted in my description. This bird shows the diagnostic field marks of African-Collared so I am submitting as such. With bright gray sky as background, original photos are very backlit and does not reflect what I saw through my bins. Brightened photos attached. Hope to return to the area on a better day to capture better pics, audio, video.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P900

ISO

100

Focal length

428.4 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

3874 pixels x 2766 pixels

Original file size

677.14 KB