http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:50:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.9 http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-640 Fri, 09 May 2008 21:09:58 +0000 http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-640 There is generally a fairly apparent contrast between the wings and underparts in the White-tipped Dove, with the underparts being much lighter. (This is why I didn't think the first images were a White-tipped Dove.) The White-tipped Dove will have a whiteish face (again that wasn't apparent in the photos). They will also have a red orbital ring, (which one of photos seemed to show). Mourning Doves will have some black spots towards the tips of their wings when folded. The Mourning Dove will also have a longer, more pointed tail than the shorter, 'stubbier' tail of the White-tipped Dove (see the image of the dove facing away from the camera - also no spots on wings on this one) Mourning Doves have a pale blue orbital ring. I think White-tipped Doves look considerably chunkier, but I have the opportunity to observe both species at the same time. (FYI - If you could hear the White-tipped Dove it would sound like someone blowing into an old-fashioned Coke bottle - a really cool call!) There is generally a fairly apparent contrast between the wings and underparts in the White-tipped Dove, with the underparts being much lighter. (This is why I didn’t think the first images were a White-tipped Dove.) The White-tipped Dove will have a whiteish face (again that wasn’t apparent in the photos). They will also have a red orbital ring, (which one of photos seemed to show). Mourning Doves will have some black spots towards the tips of their wings when folded. The Mourning Dove will also have a longer, more pointed tail than the shorter, ’stubbier’ tail of the White-tipped Dove (see the image of the dove facing away from the camera - also no spots on wings on this one) Mourning Doves have a pale blue orbital ring. I think White-tipped Doves look considerably chunkier, but I have the opportunity to observe both species at the same time. (FYI - If you could hear the White-tipped Dove it would sound like someone blowing into an old-fashioned Coke bottle - a really cool call!)

]]> http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-638 Fri, 09 May 2008 17:34:16 +0000 http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-638 [...] Later update: Based on some later images (see More shots of the ‘mystery dove’), Dr. Glasscock has changed her mind, and says she now thinks these shots do show a White-tipped Dove. Yay! [...] […] Later update: Based on some later images (see More shots of the ‘mystery dove’), Dr. Glasscock has changed her mind, and says she now thinks these shots do show a White-tipped Dove. Yay! […]

]]> http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-637 Fri, 09 May 2008 17:14:40 +0000 http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-637 How would we distinguish them if we didn't have a full view of the tail if the lighting is not good? thanks for your feedback. How would we distinguish them if we didn’t have a full view of the tail if the lighting is not good? thanks for your feedback.

]]> http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-636 Fri, 09 May 2008 17:02:16 +0000 http://www.elanus.net/sutro/2008/05/09/more-shots-of-the-mystery-dove/#comment-636 I'll retract my first statement as I think after looking at the last few images that your identification on the first images was correct. These last few photos definitely look like White-tipped Doves. I went back and looked at the first images and if you will look, the tail on the first image appears shorter and not quite as pointed as a Mourning Dove. This is true of White-tipped Doves. In the wild, usually they are easily distinguished by color and size. Perhaps the lighting wasn't as good on the first images because they don't look as light as a White-tipped Dove. Anyway, good call. I’ll retract my first statement as I think after looking at the last few images that your identification on the first images was correct. These last few photos definitely look like White-tipped Doves. I went back and looked at the first images and if you will look, the tail on the first image appears shorter and not quite as pointed as a Mourning Dove. This is true of White-tipped Doves. In the wild, usually they are easily distinguished by color and size. Perhaps the lighting wasn’t as good on the first images because they don’t look as light as a White-tipped Dove. Anyway, good call.

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