Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-66
| Common name: |
Common Ground-Dove |
| Scientific name: | Columbina passaria |
| Date: | 14 OCT 2023 |
| Time: | 1050 |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Cottonwood Bend Ranch (Private - No public access) |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | +38.8137, -109.2934 |
| Elevation: | 4,104' |
| Distance to bird: | 8-10 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Swarovski 8.5 x 42 bins |
| Weather: | Cool, ~50°F Partly cloudy. BWS 2 Light breeze. |
| Light Conditions: | Excellant, mellow light. Tail end of ~88% Annular Eclipse. |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small for a dove |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Stocky. |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Gray-blue scaled crown. Face pinkish brown. Upper parts gray-brown.Upperwing coverts pinkish-gray. |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Bi-colored, down-curved end. |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Small, stocky, short necked, short tailed bird.
Horizontal posture on the ground. Bi-colored bill, pink base, horn colored end. Dark red-orange eyes. Distinct gray-blue scaled crown and hind neck. Upper parts gray-brown, tail darker. Upperwing coverts have comma shaped iridescent violet markings. Feet pink. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: |
Not heard by me, but Glenn said he heard simple, rising coos. |
| Behavior: | Actively foraging on the gravel surrounding a large shop building. |
| Habitat: | Ranch alongside the Colorado River consisting of alfalfa fields, weedy margins, riparian areas with large cottonwood trees, and several ponds of various sizes. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Ruddy Ground Dove similar size but all dark bill. And, according to range maps, even less likely to be here. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
None. |
| References consulted: |
Sibley Birds mobile app. Nat Geo Field Guide to the Birds Cornell Lab Birds of the World |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Steve Heinrich |
| Observer's address: | HC 64 BOX 2913 Castle Valley UT 84532-9613 Grand County |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Glenn Kincaid identified the bird on site as soon as he got a look at him. He is familiar with this specie. |
| Date prepared: | 16 OCT 2023 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |