> Some friends of mine that live in the Ballard area of Seattle also
>have been seeing a Ringed-turtle Dove. It has been frequenting their
>bird feeders for a few months now, and spends its afternoons nearby
>making pretty noises. They see it daily.
> At first, they thought they must be mistaken about it's identity but
>after observing it at close hand, we are reasonably sure this is
>what it is. The bird appears to be almost tame and helps itself to
>food even when people are out in the yard watering etc.> > Anybody
>know if it will stay over winter? >
> Thanks! Roberta Eubanks
>
>
Roberta:
It is never possible to predict whether or not an individual will
over-winter even if it is a native and naturally occurring species. Given
the fact that this species of dove is a caged bird and that Seattle has mild
winters, its chances of surviving are probably mostly limited by available
food supply and predatory cats (given the bird's tame nature). I remember a
thread recently that discussed cats.......
So I guess if your friends keep feeding the bird and keep cats away, it
could conceivably survive the winter. Then there is a local increase in
Sharp-shinned Hawks in the late fall and winter......

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.