SW Florida - Doves (feral or exotic? & ...) (1 Viewer)

[Fandango739]

I know I may be pushing the 'wild' factor here, but I did see these birds free and weary of humans. They are probably escapees, yet (this being Florida) it is hard to say if they are first generation.

1&2) Tiny! Almost as small as sparrows. I saw one walking: lots of head-bobbing and the tail was often aloft like a wren's.

3&4) This maybe a super healthy Mourning Dove, but the colors seemed a bit to rosy and clean. He wasn't that far away from the tiny pair. I don't know if he was just curious or perhaps a former cage mate.

Thanks!

 

[ovenbird43]

First ones are Common Ground-Doves - wild and native.

Second is fine for Mourning Dove - I find their subtle beauty only stands out with close views and good light, such as in your photos.

 

[KC Foggin]

I agree with Ovenbird's post.

 

[Fandango739]

I don't think so for the pair. I have seen a number of ground doves here. I swear these things are smaller by a good mark. And I have never seen a ground dove hold its tail up like that. Nor stay in a tree. I actually went the five minutes home to grab my camera and come back...and they were still in the tree.

 

[Fandango739]

I shouldn't answer myself, but ...
Given their strange behavior, could they be still babies?

 

[RJP]

That brown/white barring on the undertail coverts is a pretty distinctive mark for Common Ground Doves - and the juveniles do not have it.

 

[tom baxter]

They are common ground doves. In photo #1 you can see the scaly breast feathers and they have a pink base to the bill, just to add another couple of features for clinching the ID. I am not sure how often they sit in trees, but I have seen Virginia rails sitting in trees. Sometimes birds don't do what we expect them to.

 

[Fandango739]

Well, thanks gang! Goes to show I still have a lot to learn.

 

[KC Foggin]

We've all still got lots to learn but you'll learn a lot here

 

[Fandango739]

I think part of what threw me is that I saw the bird on the right first & alone. The coloration is different than what I am accustomed to, a lot more silver. The bird to the left is far more what I am used to seeing around here. Is this amount of color variation normal?