© Mark Szantyr

I believe this image Mark Szantyr sent me shows all toes and nails.

October 23, 2007

Rare Records Committee Connecticut

Report of Common Ground Dove at East Haven CT.

Common Ground Dove, Columbina passerina

Proto Ave, East Haven CT. Clear and Sunny, 75 degrees with SW winds 5-10mph.

First observed at 7:55 for approx 2 minutes and then again at 8:55 for 2 minutes.* After reporting the bird it was seen by many throughout the day.

AJ Hand and I were there photographing the numerous White-crowned Sparrows that have been feeding on bird seed spread on the ground. At 7:55 the bird flew in from the left and landed on the brush pile and immediately dropped to the ground.* At this point the bird was full frame in my camera and less than 15 feet away. We looked at each other and knew right away it was a ground dove. I have seen ground doves in the west and south before but did not know for sure which particular ground dove we were looking at but knew it was a ground dove. In flight it showed the reddish wing linings clearly and it's small size was hard to miss. Exactly one hour later at 8:55 the bird returned and stayed again for only a short time, perhaps 2 minutes but good photos were obtained. Fortunately I had camera at hand and photographed the bird well (see attached). Shooting Digital allowed close examination of the images more closely and actually zoom in on the details like the two-toned bill, gray crown, fairly unique markings on the wings and foot color as well. Inspection of the images also shows fairly bright under tail coverts.

Later in the afternoon I returned with Carol my wife who wanted to see the bird and 20+ observers were there watching the bird as it returned to feed and be flushed again at every car or truck passing. Some present were examining my images on the camera back and asked if I could supply more images so that it might show details that could indicate eastern or western origin. Two are posted here http://www.fatrobin.com/Common%20Ground%20Dove.html More images here http://www.jimzipp.com/Common%20Ground%20Dove.html at the request of some who are speculating on the origin of the bird.

As to whether this bird is wild or was captive I can only say that first, it had no bands on the legs as can be seen in the photographs, the plumage and bill were in absolutely pristine condition and showed no signs of ever being caged and lastly, the bird was pretty skittish and would flush at any movement or noise and even flew every time a car or truck passed.

The photographs were made with a Canon 40D digital SLR camera and the Canon 600mm f4.0 lens. I always shoot RAW images but for identification purposes I only extracted the embedded jpegs which are not adjusted or altered in any way.

I was not in my car at the time and did not have a field guide handy so it was 12:00PM by the time I got back to my office and pulled out the guides to see which particular ground dove it was and found the Common Ground Dove to be a certainty.

I will print and sign this and submit to the committee but thought it best to get this to you asap.

• I had originally reported the bird was first seen at 8:55AM but that was by looking at the time stamp on my camera. I have since noticed that my camera did not automatically make the time change and it was in fact 7:55 AM.

Respectfully,

Jim Zipp

Harris's Sparrow
Saturday, November 3
Allen's Meadow, Wilton CT

Photographs by Bill Banks