The dove photographed by Derek is definitely an INCA DOVE. The scaly
patterning and the described size difference fits perfect. I just came
back from Veracruz, Mexico a month ago where I saw loads of the same
species. Congrats on having such a celebrity on your feeder Derek!

Frode Jacobsen
Baltimore, MD




> Derek,
>    Looks like a juvenile Mourning Dove.
> --
> Bob Ringler
> Eldersburg MD
> 
>
> ---- "Derek C. Richardson" <> wrote:
>> Had an unusual dove at my feeders just now (4:30 pm), in
>> Laurel MD, PG County.  Uniform drab gray with scaly
>> appearance, noticably smaller than Mourning Dove (one was
>> conveniently right next to it; that's how I noticed).
>> Looking through Sibley, an adult INCA DOVE appears to be the
>> best match.  I have some photos (hand-held automatic, first
>> 2 through the bird protection screen; it was already getting
>> dark, so these are fuzzy):
>>
>>     http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/xfer/strange_dove/
>>
>> I didn't edit or crop these in any way, so they're large.
>> You can see the red eye in the 3rd pic.  I was maneuvering
>> for another shot when the bird flew off, so I didn't see the
>> rufous underwings.  Evidently Inca Doves are expected in the
>> states bordering Mexico, not up here.  Is this likely an
>> escapee, or could it be a true vagrant?
>>
>> D
>>
>> --
>> Derek C. Richardson, College Park, PG County, MD
>> http://www.astro.umd.edu/~dcr/Archives/Photos/birds.html
>