There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Monday, May 2, 2011

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

 
  • Appearance:
  • Greyish-tan to pinkish-grey body and head
  • Black half-collar on back of neck
  • Dark primaries
  • Long, squared tail; undersurface with black base and white tip / uppersurface gray with white outer tips  
Listen to its call.

 
I saw a pair of these birds perched side by side on a wire on Martindale Road this afternoon.  At the time, it didn't occur to me to get a photograph of them from the back as well as from the front. However, in spite of that as well as the poor lighting, I'm pretty sure that I've identified this bird correctly. Of course, it helps that sightings of a pair of Eurasian Collared-Dove have been reported in the Martindale area recently.  Okay, so I might not be a bird expert yet, but at least I'm honest. 

 
Learn more about the Eurasian Collared-Dove.
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