Plover?? (1 Viewer)

[Boglin]

Today my daughters came running in the house saying there was a bird outside they hadn't seen before. I went out and saw this little bird sitting on the ground. It was the size of a plover but I couldn't ID it from the Audubon field guide. It wasn't the least bit afraid and calmly sat there pruning while I sat next to it taking these pictures.

Maybe it's inbetween it's winter/spring plumage?? Or maybe I'm just really rusty. Any ideas? Oh and this is in southern Wisconsin if that helps.

Thanks,
- Chad

btw, sorry for not adding the location in the title. I'll be sure to do it next time.

 

[Dimitris]

It's a young Pigeon/Dove of some sort. Can't go further then that though as am not very familiar with American birds.

Cheers!

Dimitris

 

[fbeeldens]

Young Mourning dove?

Cheers,

filip

 

[KC Foggin]

It certainly looks like a fledgling Dove, but it doesn't match what I see around here for the Mourning variety.

 

[Jim M.]

Appears to be a very young juvenile Mourning Dove, as filip suggests. They do look quite different from adults and have an unusual facial pattern. Compare with these photos of juvenile/fledgling mourning doves:

http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/garden/habitatphotos/P6230014doves_smaller.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/168248565_9214d9bd94.jpg

Best,
Jim

 

[Boglin]

Wow, I wouldn't have expected a young dove this early in the spring. Thanks for the help!

 

[apbarr]

I think it looks like a newly fledged Ground-Dove of some kind but I've only seen Common and am unsure ofthe other options

 

[Jim M.]

I think it looks like a newly fledged Ground-Dove of some kind but I've only seen Common and am unsure ofthe other options

Wisconsin is well outside the normal range of all species of ground dove. If you look at the first link in my previous post, which is a photo of a juvenile mourning dove, you will see the subject bird looks almost identical.

Best,
Jim

 

[KnockerNorton]

Yes, it's a very young Mourning Dove. I don't think it's fledged early, just very very recently. Doves/pigeons often turn up walking about on the ground at this stage. You could do it a favour by putting it up in a thick bush, away from cats etc.

 

[AlexC]

According to Sibley, young Mourning Doves can be found "any month, mainly Feb-Nov."