Band-tails do a mating display where they fly slowly above the trees,
flapping their wings in a stiff, rapid fashion without making much forward
progress. This is going on already, at least here in Olympia. Could this
be what you observed? When band-tails are flying normally, they clip along
at a pretty good rate.

Eric Stahlfeld wrote:
>
>While watching a band-tailed pigeon circling above my house Saturday, I
>wondered why it was such a weak flyer (much shallow flapping of wings without
>getting very far), when I would generally describe as strong flyers similar
>birds like morning doves, rock doves, etc.
>
>Anyone have any ideas?
>


Eric Kraig
Olympia, WA
kraig at wln.com