Subject: Re: Need Bird ID
Date: Feb 17 15:12:32 1998
From: PAGODROMA at aol.com - PAGODROMA at aol.com


98-02-17, rbrooks writes:

<< Need help with a Bird ID...

On my walks in Bellevue, WA, there is a bird whose description I can find
no where. It resides in the tops of trees, is dun colored, has the general
shape (especially the head) of a pigeon, but is much larger. Today I
counted 14 roosting in an alder tree in Tam O'Shanter Park, 173rd Ave NE,
Bellevue. At first I thought they were grouse, but I have hunted grouse
and these were not that game bird. My point of observation was directly
beneath them. >>

Sounds like the perfect description for Band-tailed Pigeon as a first guess
minus any additional information. They are usually pretty quiet and
unobtrusive but are beginning to become more conspicuous around here (Bellevue
neighborhoods) right now, and if you have a really good ear, you can hear
their soft owl-like 'whoo-oo whoo' hoots. However, they are 'pigeon-sized'
and not anywhere near grouse-sized. Depending on what they might be perched
in or something with comparative perspective, Band-tailed Pigeons may 'appear'
larger than they really are. --Richard

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)