Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Observation: On my way home for a lunch break, I noticed a different type of bird that I have ever seen before. I ran home, got my camera to document the sighting. I took photos of this bird within Shishmaref. I took the pictures to our local school teacher and bird watcher, Mr. Stenek who identified it as a Mourning Dove. It was pretty awesome to see and document this rare sighting. Richard Kuzuguk

Consult: We contacted Beth Peluso at Audubon Alaska for technical assistance. Beth said that the spots on the wings, long tail and blue ring round the eyes are all markers for the Mourning Dove, which is a very unusual species for Alaska, especially so far north and west. Their normal range looks to be generally limited to the continental U.S. map. Mourning Doves (along with several other species of pigeons and doves) have been expanding rapidly across North America (see Audubon). Other species including the Rock Pigeon and the Eurasian Collar Dove have been increasing in Alaska. Apparently, 2 mourning doves were seen in Sitka on Sept. 1, 2013. It is too early to say what the future of the Mourning Dove is in Alaska, but we thank Richard for this very interesting post and Beth for her technical assistance.

Media:

• EURASIAN COLLAR DOVE: The Eurasian Collar Dove first spotted in Alaska in 2009 and have also been noted in recent Christmas Bird Count in Southeast Alaska, which means that they are overwintering, and there is some evidence of nesting They have were recorded in 2010 as far North as Cordova. Source: Juneau Empire