>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

Don, if she can get a good photo of her visitor, it would be great. Rufous
Turtle-Dove may be a possibility as a vagrant, but it's a very
different-looking bird from the Ringed Turtle-Dove, much darker. She
should get at least as accurate a description as possible, with emphasis on
neck markings, tail markings, and overall coloration. Lots of people keep
Ringed Turtle-Doves as pets, so they are very likely escapes.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416