Subspecific identification of mourning dove

[Andreas Bruun Kristensen]

Dear all,

An apparent mourning dove (Zeneida macroura) was found Monday May 19th 2008 at Skagen, the northernmost point in Denmark.

Pictures of the bird can be found here:
http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=listpictures&species_id=445

The tail is long, and seems to exclude its near relative, eared dove (Zenaida auriculata). On the flight shots of the Skagen bird, it seems to show bluish tinge on the lower back, and some of the central tail feathers also show bluish tinge. Does mourning dove show these features?

And, is it possible from these images to say anything about subspecies? Or age?

I would also like to hear about its captivity status in Europe (allthough this is slightly off topic on this forum).

Best regards,
Andreas Bruun Kristensen
Denmark

[Sherpa]

The bird looks like a very typical Mourning Dove. The blue tinge that you refer to is perfectly normal. I have no doubt it will be accepted on i.d.

Ageing in spring is probably difficult. Perhaps there are some yanks who could comment?

I don't know about the captivity status, but I suspect that it is quite rare. The escape/captivity issue has not prevented the British ones from being accepted.

[JanJ]

I´m not aware of that Mournign Dove typically has a bluish rump or middle tail feathers in any of the ssp. other than the pinkish-brown. However a photographic effect might produce such a bluish cast:

http://www.pbase.com/image/47273001

but see:

http://www.pbase.com/image/51614858

http://www.pbase.com/image/58982670

Different light:

http://www.pbase.com/image/62313982

Two ssp breeds in N. America,carolinensis in the east and marginella in the west, the western being paler and smaller.

Nice find from Skagen, a great place for birding!

JanJ

[Andreas Bruun Kristensen]

Thans for the replies.
New and perhaps slightly better images of the bird can be found here:
http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=listpictures&species_id=445
Comments to its subspecific identity would be appreciated.

[Josh Jones]

I don't know about the captivity status, but I suspect that it is quite rare. The escape/captivity issue has not prevented the British ones from being accepted.

This is not too surprising given all four have turned up within a few weeks of each other in late Autumn after big trans-Atlantic depressions have hit.

Perhaps this bird arrived last autumn, or perhaps it jumped off a ship...

Doesn't seem to be anything contentious about the ID though!