Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2003-23
| Common name: |
Eurasian Collared-Dove |
| Scientific name: | Streptopelia decaocto |
| Date: | 21, 31 May and 4 Jun 2003 |
| Time: | ~ 9:00 to 10:00 AM, all three times |
| Length of time observed: | Altogether ~ 15 minutes |
| Number: | 2 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | |
| Location: | Salem Lake -- Salem, Utah |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | ~ 4,700 ft. |
| Distance to bird: | ~ 75 yards |
| Optical equipment: | 8 x 42 Bausch & Lomb Elite binoculars, Kowa 20 x 60 82mm scope |
| Weather: | Clear all three days |
| Light Conditions: | Sunny |
| Detailed description of bird: | This was a large, heavy looking dove compared the Mourning Dove. The back and wings were gray, becoming lighter on the belly and breast. From underneath, the tail had a broad white terminal band and gray undertail coverts and vent area with black markings on the sides between the terminal band and the undertail coverts. The nape had a horizontal crescent-shaped black mark which extented to the sides of the neck. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none that I could hear |
| Behavior: | The first two time, I saw a single bird which was sitting on a wire near a telephone pole -- same pole both times. The last time when I saw a pair, they were in the same place as the first two sightings, but flew together from the telephone wires to some large trees and then back to the a different part of the wires -- they were much more active than the first two sightings of the single bird. |
| Habitat: | Area around Salem Lake in the middle of Salem city. |
| Similar
species and how were they eliminated: |
The smaller and thinner Ringed Turtle-Dove is much lighter overall and has much smaller black marks on the tail. From underneath, there is little contract between the terminal band of the tail and the undertail coverts. |
| Previous experience with this & similar species: | I've seen the Eurasian Collared-Dove several times in Utah County at River Lane and I've seen a Ringed Turtle-Dove sitting in a tree about 5 feet away while visiting a rest home in Provo -- a very tame bird. |
| References consulted: | The Sibley Field Guide to Birds |
| Description from: | From memory refreshed by the photos |
| Observer: | Milton Moody |
| Observer's address: | 2795 Indian Hills Drive, Provo, UT 84604 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | miltonmoody@yahoo.com |
| Other
observers who independently identified this bird: |
The first two times I was with large groups of birders (over thirty the first time and about 20 the second time). Among the birders observing the bird were Dennis Shirley, Tuula Rose, Leena Rogers and Wade Miller. |
| Date prepared: | 11 Jun 2003 |
| Additional material: | photos |
| Additional comments: |