Ringneck Turtle Dove

[Ron]

Photographed today under dark skies. Second time it was sighted in our back yard. Always appears alone.

[Talon]

The Ringed Turtle-Dove has been pretty much eliminated from the U.S. This is a Eurasian Collared Dove. It is said that they were brought over to the Bahamas and eventually came across to south Florida on their own. Since then, they have taken the country by storm. They have become almost as common here as the White-winged Dove. They are pretty and I like them, but as with anything else that's not supposed to be here, I am concerned about the impact they might eventually have on other birds.

Joe Cox
Fort Worth

[Ron]

I just think I'm a birder.

[Charley]

Sibley's Guide to Birds has a good comparison on page 256. I remember when one of the first ECDO's showed up in Tarrant county 8 or 9 years ago in a school yard in Bedford or Hurst. J.W. Sifford led us there and we spent a great deal of time studying the undertail coverts.
I agree, Joe, nice bird, but I too wonder about it's affect on the natives.

Charley