March 10, 2019 - Doves and a Pigeon

I photographed three different dove species while we were in Florida. Here’s a Eurasian Collared-Dove. This large (13”) dove is most often seen sitting on phone wires but I photographed this one at Riverwalk Park in Apalachicola, Florida.

CollaredDoveEurasianRiverwalkParkApalachicola20190202

As their name implies, these birds are not native to North America. A few of them were introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s. They reached Florida by the 1980s and have now spread across most of the United States. They can be identified by their pale tan color, the black “half-collar” around the upper part of the neck, and the squared-off tail.

CollaredDoveEurasianRiverwalkParkApalachicola20190202

Mourning Doves are more colorful and somewhat smaller (12”) than Eurasian Collared-Doves. They are common throughout the United States. This photo was taken at the Apalachicola Seafood Park.

DoveMourningApalachicolaSeafoodPark20190220

Mourning Doves have a pale, tan breast. Their wings are somewhat darker brown with several black spots on them. There is a subtle color difference between males and females. The male has a blueish-gray crown (as seen on the bird at the right) while the female’s crown is tan. Also notice the long, pointed tail, in contrast to the squared-off tail of the Eurasian Collared-Dove.

DoveMourningpairThePlantationGeorgeIsland20190220

This photo convinced me that the pair of doves in the previous photo are a mated pair. But I also included it to show the colors of the tail when it is spread out. These photos were taken on St. George Island, Florida.

DoveMourningmatingThePlantationGeorgeIsland20190220

At only 6 inches, the Common Ground-Dove is tiny compared to the two previous dove species. The head and breast feathers are edged in black, giving the bird a scaly look. It has a short tail, a brightly colored bill with a black tip, and black spots on the wings. It is found across the southernmost part of the United States.

GroundDoveCommonIndianPass20190128PPS

Rock Pigeons are not common in the part of Florida where we stay. I usually have to work hard to add them to my winter bird list. This one was foraging in the grass near one of our favorite restaurants in Apalachicola. It’s unusual to find one by itself; they are usually in a small flock. Rock Pigeons in large cities are found in all shades of color but this one has the natural, wild plumage of the Rock Pigeon. It has a gray head, iridescent neck, and gray back with two prominent black wing bars.

PigeonRockTheCreekBarApalachicola20190110