ML23135121

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Bar-shouldered Dove

Observation details

1. Description of bird (include as relevant size; shape; colour of plumage, legs, eyes, bill; call; sex; age) Initially from a distance I observed a 'dove'. I considered the bird larger than a Peaceful Dove and a similar size to a Spotted Dove. My initial observation was of two features; grey face and neck and white tip to tail. These two features ruled out both the previously mentioned species and even without other diagnostic features I was convinced it was a Bar-shouldered Dove. The bird was lost from view but later refound, whereby I was able to observe the coppery scalloping around neck and nape, grey breast with white belly, pink legs and brown scalloped back. Imagery was obtained. 2. Description of the bird's behaviour (alone? feeding? in flight? on ground?) Bird was initially observed to fly into a dead eucalypt where it perched for about 15 seconds before flying about 100m onto a telegraph wire. It was perched next to a Eastern Rosella, which was a similar size, though with a longer tail. It again flew after about 30 seconds and was lost from view. About two hours later I saw the bird again when I approached nearly farm dam. Bird was wary and flew uphill into woodland. It was observed to associate with two Peaceful Doves, both in trees and on the ground. 3. Habitat Open and closed woodland (stringy bark) and farm dam. 4. Weather conditions See visit comments. 5. Optical aids used? Observed with 10 x 42 binoculars and photographed with Canon 30 x optical zoom 6. For how long did you watch the bird? Initially seen for about 45 seconds from a distance of 50m. Then, about two hours later, the bird was observed and followed for about 15 minutes. 7. What experience have you had with this species? Observed on 139 previous occasions in NSW, Qld, WA and NT. Also single bird observed observed in Flynn, ACT December 2015. 8. Other comments (other observers present; what made you eliminate 'look-alike' or 'sound-alike' species) My initial observation of two salient features; grey face and neck and white tip to tail, ruled out both Spotted Dove and Peaceful Dove. Bird heard to call 'coo hook' as described by Pizzey. Peaceful Doves were also calling at the time. No other observers present, but later observed by P Milburn. Photographed

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX700 HS

ISO

100

Focal length

135 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.9

Shutter speed

1/160 sec

Dimensions

4111 pixels x 2954 pixels

Original file size

1.93 MB