ML611247263

Observation details

The conditions were cool, cloudy, and windy. We spotted this small dove in a bush on a hillside below a house with feeders in the backyard - this was located on the west side of the river just upstream from the Lake Buffalo Springs/Lake Ransom border. We immediately noted the small size (House Sparrows in the same bush provided comparison), the ruddy breast with no scaling, the relatively small gray head and neck, the short tail, and the ruddy wings with small, black spots (many lined up in rows). Size, shape, and proportions ruled out remotely similar species such as Inca Dove and Mourning Dove. The lack of 'scaling' on the breast, overall coloration, and small, black dots stacked in lines on the wings ruled out Common Ground Dove. Sheri Anderson was able to snap a few photos and will post these photographs with this report. After taking the photographs, we moved a few yards up the trail to try for better shots. The bird tucked in deeper to the center of the thicket and disappeared. Attempts were made to relocate the bird on subsequent dates with no success.