Dear Tweets:

I have recently received a call from a woman that has seen a rather
immaculate-looking Ringed-turtle Dove (RTD) visiting her neighbourhood.
This observation is from Port Alberni on (mid) Vancouver Island. I have
thought that this species was of eastern origin (Florida-Caribbean-Africa)
and that might only occur in central to western North America only as an
escaped bird. Her original glimpse of the bird gave me the impression of
Mourning Dove, however more recently she has described RTD. I understand
Los Angeles has a potential feral population and I suppose the most likely
answer is locally escaped bird from aviary.
I have not yet been able to see this bird for myself but I am trying to arm
myself with information on possibilities. If anyone has any suggestions I
would be very interested.I wonder if perhaps (assuming that the
identification is correct) there is a similar species in Asia that we should
consider?

Cheers,

Don Cecile
Port Alberni, B.C. Canada
dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca.
Cheers,

Don Cecile
Port Alberni, B.C. Canada
dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca.