Early last week, for several days and at disparate times I heard a plaintive call by a single bird.
Yesterday, out in the garden I was able to spot the source of the call. Today, armed with my binoculars and my National Geographic Field Guid to the Birds of North America, I was able to identify them as Ringed Turtledoves.
According to my reference they are a “Popular cage bird. Escapes have bred in U.S. cities , but not firmly established anywhere. Plumage is variable; some Ringed Turtle-Doves are pure white; a few lack dark collar. Very tame. Call is a soft, rolling coo-hrrrooo.”
My two pairs are a very pale somewhat a “winter-white” shade, with the dark ring on the nape of the neck and smoky grey wing tips.
I was delighted with the experience but thought a letter to the editor of the local paper would not only be of interest but also may aid in matching them up with the owner, in the event they are escapees — or at least put their owner’s mind at ease.
April McKenna
Qualicum Beach
