Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Quiz #469 (2012-4-01) Solution


Click on picture(s) for a larger view.

Solution by Tony Leukering

[I apologize for the tardiness in getting the recent solutions posted, but I am currently working in Texas away from Internet access, so I'm getting to them as I can.]

This quiz bird's tail shape takes us to the square-tailed doves, as we can eliminate pigeons from consideration by the extensive white tail tip. Thus, our choices are Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Spotted Dove, and White-tipped Dove. Spotted Dove can be quickly eliminated by that species' tawny-pink underparts. White-tipped Dove is a shorter, squatter bird with a very short tail, unlike that of our quiz bird. Differentiating Eurasian Collared-Dove and White-winged Dove is an under-appreciated ID problem, in my opinion, hence this quiz.

Eurasian Collared-Dove's tail pattern is well-known as an ID point, but some often forget that it is useful in differentiating it from African Collared-Dove. However, its tail pattern is surprisingly similar to that of White-winged Dove: blackish base, extensive white tip. Additionally, in certain postures, White-winged Dove can appear to have Eurasian Collared-Dove's black extension down the outer web of the outermost tail feather. But, our quiz bird's blue facial skin and orange iris confirm it as a White-winged Dove. The apparent Eurasian Collared-Dove tail pattern is created by the bird's right r5 (fifth rectrix on right) peeking out from behind its right r6. I took this picture of a White-winged Dove in Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO, on 25 January 2012.

Incorrect species provided as answers:
Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1

Congratulations to the 18 of 19 getting the quiz correct:
Pam Myers
Nick Komar
Debbie Barnes
Ben Coulter
Tyler Bell
Robert McNab
Margaret Smith
Donald Jones
Logan Kahle
Su Snyder
Gary Koehn
Kirk Huffstater
Richard Jeffers
Margie Joy
Peter Wilkinson
Joe Bens
Bryan Guarente
Sean Walters

Answer: White-winged Dove