In mid-May we saw Inca Doves (
Columbina Inca) in our patio for the first time (
Backyard Visitors - Inca Dove). Two or three pairs now come in to feed on a regular basis. They hold their own very well with the larger White-winged and Mourning Doves that scramble for seed. They are sweet little birds with an interesting scaly-looking appearance produced by dark brown feather edging.
If you click on the photo above to enlarge it, you can get a glimpse of rusty red under the dove's wing. When the doves fly, or if they're hassled, as in the photo below, they throw up their wings and you see a flash of this brilliant colour. I photographed these doves from about seventy feet away because I didn't want to frighten them. The area where they're foraging is in the shade of a tree and it's difficult to focus on, but I wanted to try to capture the rufous wings of the Inca Dove. The dove in the foreground is a White-winged Dove. The other two doves are Mourning Doves.
If you click on the photo above to enlarge it, you can get a glimpse of rusty red under the dove's wing. When the doves fly, or if they're hassled, as in the photo below, they throw up their wings and you see a flash of this brilliant colour. I photographed these doves from about seventy feet away because I didn't want to frighten them. The area where they're foraging is in the shade of a tree and it's difficult to focus on, but I wanted to try to capture the rufous wings of the Inca Dove. The dove in the foreground is a White-winged Dove. The other two doves are Mourning Doves. 
5 comments:
That Inca Dove is so beautiful. How interesting that their feathers always have that "scaly-looking" appearance. Really nice that they have adopted your patio.
I love the Inca Doves - they are one of the things I miss most about the southwest - along with the spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
You and your camera seem to be becoming one :)
They do look very scaly!
That last pic reminds me of the shorebirds I see here on the beach - flashing their *armpits* in display - beautiful ruffous color!
I do love seeing and reading bout your birds.
cathy - Glad I helped you solve your puzzle :) There is a similar bird, the Common Ground Dove. The site maps for both the Ground Dove and the Inca Dove in All About Birds show very southern ranges. I wonder how your little dove arrived in MO?
ra - We were delighted that they've decided to stay around. I guess they like what we're providing. I listed the Inca Dove in my "Most Beautiful Birds" meme.
endment - I'm trying to distinguish between obsession, passion and addiction. I seem to grab the camera at every opportunity. My husband happily believes it's passion :) I can never get good sunset or sunrise photos, since we live in the middle of a suburb with overhead power lines. I need to stop being so lazy and hop in the car - get out to the "wide open spaces" and get those photos.
laurahinnj - I was completely captured with the "armpit flashes". Birds have wonderful secret surprises for us.
mary - I'm glad you visit and like our birds. I miss the little English birds - esp. wrens, robins and chaffinches. Has your heat wave abated?
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