Saturday, July 21, 2007

Suprised by Ringed Turtle Dove pair

Sitting here at my table I look out toward bayou area with a small strip of sand by my patio (left over by Katrina) so occasionally I see some interesting birds. Today I was pleasantly surprised to see a pair of Ringed Turtle Doves! I recognized them immediately though I've never seen wild ones before. They have colonized a few cities around the US after escaping from being cage birds. They have sandy colored feathers, very soft and pleasing in appearance, with a black crescent on the back half of the neck. I startled them as I got a quick picture, but they only retreated a few feet, to the lower branch of a tree. They are Streptopelia risoria. I didn't know they had found their way into Mississippi, very nice!

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