Mystery pigeon/dove?

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maxhr
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Mystery pigeon/dove?

Spotted this at my birdbath today in gympie qld, 160km north of brisbane. Closest i can i find in my book is a juvenile Emerald dove? Never seen one before. could not get a clean shot as i was set up for small birds at the time. doh!

ihewman
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Another option is juvenile Brown Cuckoo-Dove... Simpson & Day says "juv.: chestnut crown and wings chestnut, mottled brown... neck and breast barred black", but I doubt it is a Brown CD as you would most likely see them from below, up in the canopy. Seen as both the birds suggested live in a similar forest habitat, I'm assuming that's where you saw the bird. Perhaps more information on the bird's habits and physical features would help... i.e: if it didn't have a long showy tail, Emerald Dove... if it did, Brown CD.

Brandon (aka ihewman)

maxhr
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Hi Brandon, i think you are right. i had a look at slater field guide and the colours look much more realistic than simpson and day version.

 The colours were a rich chocolate and shown much better in slater's guide. location is old dairy farms subdivided and planted with a mix of local and introduced species, from grass to dense forest.

thanks for your help. 

dna1972
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This is definitely a Brown Cuckoo-dove. Most likely a young specimen.

shoop
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Absolutely gorgeous photo once again. What sort of camera are you using and lens?  Do you use any software programs ?

Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.

maxhr
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Hi Shoop, For birds i use a pansonic fz150 superzoom, purchased in 2011 from B&H in the usa for $476 inc delivery. i usually work from a bird hide so am quite close to the subject, like 2 meters away.

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