ML564660121

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Continuing NorCal mega reported in his yard today by Tom Uslan! First Yolo County and Central Valley record, and one of the northernmost records for the species on eBird. Tom has graciously hosted many observers of this bird as well as other yard goodies (ALHU for one) in prior years- thanks Tom! The bird had been seen by many this morning but apparently flew off out of sight in the early afternoon. After a half hour of wandering the broader area Ken and I walked up to the lawn/driveway where the bird was this morning and were stunned to see it right in front of us! It proceeded to do its little ground dove thing and walk about the immediate area, staying low in the vegetation but occasionally wandering about into the open and it made short flights. An obvious ground-dove, perhaps towhee-sized, with rufous tones washed over the upperparts and lighter brown colored below. It had a softly rounded, gray head with a short flesh-pink bill. Striking red iris as well as pink legs and feet. Underwings and tail were both bold rufous, and very rounded. Noted a little evidence of wear on two primaries on the right wing, but I view this as expected for a wild bird. Bill and feet were both in great shape. Spring migrant timing has precedent in CA as well, as noted by others. Photos to be added!!

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

200

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

1623 pixels x 1159 pixels

Original file size

1.64 MB