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Oops, the first edition went before I was ready.
Take two.
Yes, certainly a rarity, apart from that the
random occurrence in the urban area, of birds of species that are regularly kept
in captivity, is not of itself a rare event. They are not as commonly kept as
the Diamond Dove but no doubt there are some in captivity. I suggest it is most
likely an escaped pet. Although the one referred to
by Barbara probably wasn't. Though this one should also be documented
properly.
The ACT P&CS requires people who keep
specific species of fauna to keep records and provide a report annually. This
includes most apart from the commonly kept pet species. I wonder if COG could
get access to those lists (not all the detail but just enough to get a list of
potential species and their relative abundance). Certainly the Canberra Walk in
Aviary at Gold Creek has several species that would really puzzle the average
COGite (such as Peking Robins, Jacarini Finches, Green Singing Finches,
Grenadier & Madagascar Weavers etc.) not to mention some really weird
looking hybrids of Rainbow X Musk Lorikeet.
Philip
A check of the rarities records shows only one
endorsed record of the Bar-shouldered Dove in the ACT: 29 June 1992 4 km
from Mt Clear, by a professional who had worked with the species. Barbara
Allan, secretary, COG rarities panel
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