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The 3
emails about this didn't mention this, but the Diamond Dove is a very common
aviary species. If it is an escaped bird, then a Diamond Dove is very much more
likely than a Peaceful Dove, which is not nearly so abundant in captivity. It
could be a wild bird, but I'd suggest one alone is likely to be an escaped pet.
Jack's mention of brown wings would indicate it as a female (males are grey). It
is my experience that these birds in captivity are often scruffy looking,
with damaged feathers. In contrast, wild Diamond Doves are usually quite
neat in plumage. Of course that is a generalisation and not
definitive of either.
Philip
My apologies if my instructions have confused anyone. If you get to
the large dam (also double-bars there), proceed through the gate (ignore the
No Entry sign) onto the fenceline in about 100 m, then straight down for about
a km, until get right to the bottom corner. It was flushed just around
the corner at the end of the sandy bit, from under the paspalum, probably not
typical habitat but no doubt about the species (it was very
co-operative!). Hadn’t it perched I would have had no idea, thought it
was a pipit first with the very broad white edges to the tail, but it flew
much differently.
Jack Holland
From:
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 9:00 AM To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Diamond Dove
flushed off the track at the SW corner of the Narrabundah Hill former
pine forest this morning round 8 am. After flying about 50 m it then
obligingly perched on a burnt stump, allowing an approach within 5
m. Red eye, brown wings with fine white spots, and lack of
scalloping on the upper breast separated it from the more likely Peaceful
Dove. First record for me in my local area, though it has been recorded
in the past at Bibaringa, about 2 km away.
Park at the corner of Hindmarsh and Eucumbene Drives, then walk about 1.5
km down the S fenceline to the corner. Lots of Diamond Firetail and
Dusky Woodswallows near the large dam about 1/3 of the way down.
Jack Holland
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