Subject: Hello, anyone out there??
Date: Jun 22 15:11:58 1999
From: Richard E. Johnson - johnsonre at wsu.edu


Jerry and Sandy:

I'll add my two cents worth to what Charles Swift said for northern Idaho.
The recent (1997) volume "Breeding birds of Washington State: location data
and predicted distributions," (available from the Seattle Audubon Society
bookstore, 8050 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115; phone: 206-523-4483)
shows no breeding records east of the crest of the Cascade Mtns. However,
that volume only deals with "breeding" records and distribution, most of
the data coming from the annual breeding bird surveys.

However, quite a few scattered records exist for eastern Washington, which
have generally been presumed to be based on nonbreeders. Weber and
Larrison (1977, Birds of Southeastern Washington. Univ. of Idaho Press: out
of print) wrote, "Rare migrant and summer visitor. Formerly restricted to
the western part of the state, this species has apparently been increasing
its range and numbers in eastern Washington during the past decade." They
go on to list a number of records, all from the period between April and
June. The records Charles Swift mentions for northern Idaho would seem to
fit this pattern too. To me this suggests the real possibility that some
breeding may also occur in the area, though apparently too spotty to have
been picked up on the breeding bird surveys.

Anyway, in sum, they do occur in eastern Washington but are fairly rare.
You are lucky to have had one appear in your yard.


Richard (Dick) Johnson
Conner Museum and Department of Zoology
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
johnsonre at wsu.edu



>Jerry -
>
>They are rare but regular in the Idaho panhandle in spring and early
>summer. Mostly at feeders. There have been at least 3 reported from the
>Moscow area so far this spring (1 currently in Gennessee which I think Kas
>was going to provide the details for). They have been suspected to breed
>but I'm not sure if there are any confirmed breeding in Idaho (will have to
>check).
>
>Charles.
>
>
>At 11:40 PM 6/22/99 -0700, sanjer at televar.com wrote:
>>Can I safely assume by the lack of replies that a Band-tailed
>>Pigeon is not a unusual bird for the Grand Coulee area (eastern WA
>>near Spokane) Or is it one of those not worth mentioning species?
>>
>>Jerry and Sandy Converse
>>Grand Coulee, WA
>>
>>sanjer at televar.com wrote:
>>
>>> We added a new bird to our yard list this morning. A
>>> BAND-TAILED PIGEON
>>> is sitting in a tree just below our house. Jerry zipped down
>>> the hill and got some
>>> photos of it. We see by the maps it is a bit out of place. The
>>> black tipped yellow beak, the white on the nap of the neck
>>> and the large gray terminal band on the tail make it easy to
>>> ID. (and photos with a EASTERN KINGBIRD sitting beside it)
>>> What a great way to start the day.
>>> --
>>>
>>