Ringed Turtle Dove (Streptopelia risoria)
(Click on picture to enlarge)
© San Antonio, Texas - Spring 2006
Field Marks: 11 inches in length.
This species was introduced with wild populations in some southern cities and
towns. We observed over ten ringed turtle doves around the parking lot of a
Chili's restaurant in Katy, Texas on Saturday April, 1, 2006.
Adults are a pale tan overall, with the head and underparts somewhat paler than
upperparts. These birds have a narrow black collar around the back of
their neck.
The bill is dark.
Voice: These birds give a soft cooing
sound and sounds something like coo-curroooo.
Where found: Los Angeles, s.
California, Miami, Tampa, s. Florida, Katy, Texas.
Nest: Small flimsy nest made of sticks on a tree limb.
Note: What was interesting while watching these doves from the restaurant is that when a Boat Tailed Grackle was seranating a female Boat Tailed Grackle one of the ringed turtle doves flew down and pecked the male BT grackle. The BT grackle flew up and landed on a palm tree. The dove flew up and chased off the grackle.