Re: [cobirds] Re: African Collared-Doves, Lafayette, Boulder County

Gary and all,

The African Collared-Dove (="Ringed Turtle-Dove") can be difficult to distinguish from Eurasian Collared-Dove by eye, but it is fairly easy to distinguish by ear.  The Eurasians' song is a three-note coo, often repeated, which I sometimes transliterate as "No FAIR, Mom!"  It never has a burry quality.  The Africans' song is a single "hip" note followed by a long, burry coo (this pattern often repeated): "Hip - burrrroooooo!"

You can hear typical Eurasian Collared-Dove songs here:
http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Streptopelia-decaocto?query=type%3Asong&view=3

You can hear African Collared-Dove songs here:
http://www.xeno-canto.org/157540
https://soundcloud.com/ted-floyd/african-collared-dove-2014-10-20-1048-colo-boul-lafa-y (Ted's recording)

The common calls are also quite distinctive.  Eurasian Collared-Doves give a wheezy, 1-syllabled groan, sometimes give 2-3 times in a row:
http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Streptopelia-decaocto?query=type%3Acall&view=3

while African Collared-Doves give a remarkably human-like laugh, or descending whinny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ueMAZ1eIA&feature=related

Great find by Ted.  I hope more people can keep eyes and ears open for this species in Colorado.

Nathan Pieplow
Boulder

On Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 9:56 AM, The "Nunn Guy" <colorado.birder@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Ted

We've had a "white"/pale-looking "Eurasian-collared Dove-like" bird coming to our yard for past few years--been calling it a Ringed Turtle Dove.

All About Birds reference states "The African Collared-Dove is very rarely seen as a wild bird in North America, and it is very difficult to distinguish from the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Birds that are seen are often escaped pets and are often called Ringed Turtle-Doves, a form of African Collared-Dove that has been domesticated for centuries. These birds frequently escape from captivity, and feral populations have become established in some cities in the southern United States. "

Are the two birds one in the same?  If not, possible to distinguish the bird coming to our feeders?

Thanks Gary Lefko
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile:  http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m

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