By Jim Achieve
Be taught 100 Widespread Valley Birds is a photograph weblog collection highlighting the 100 commonest Valley hen species.
Put up #25 within the Be taught 100 Widespread Valley Birds collection. (Species 39, 40 & 41/100)
Mourning Dove – Species #39
The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a medium-sized hen that’s widespread all through the Central Valley of California. It’s a slender, tan or grayish-brown hen. It has a protracted, pointed tail that’s usually held up in a particular “V” form when the hen is in flight.
Mourning Doves are generally present in open grasslands, fields, and desert scrub habitats, and are recognized for his or her distinctive mournful cooing calls. They’re primarily seed-eaters, but additionally feed on fruits, bugs, and snails. They sometimes construct their nests in timber, shrubs, or different vegetation, and will lay as much as six eggs per clutch.
Mourning Doves are non-migratory, and might be discovered all through the Central Valley of California year-round, though their numbers might improve through the breeding season within the spring and summer season. They’re a well-liked sport hen and are additionally loved by birdwatchers for his or her peaceable and soothing cooing calls.
Rock Pigeon – Species #40
The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) is a typical hen species discovered within the Central Valley of California. They’re medium-sized birds, sometimes measuring round 12-14 inches in size and weighing round 9-13 ounces. Rock Pigeons have a plump physique with a small head, brief neck, and broad wings. Their feathers are sometimes grey with iridescent inexperienced and purple tones on their necks and wings, and two black bars on every wing.
Rock Pigeons are extremely adaptable and might thrive in quite a lot of environments, together with city and rural areas. They’re recognized for his or her capability to navigate and discover their means again to their roosting web site even from nice distances. They sometimes breed all year long and might lay as much as six eggs per clutch. Their eating regimen primarily consists of seeds and grains, however they could additionally eat bugs and small invertebrates. On account of their adaptable nature, Rock Pigeons have been launched to many elements of the world, changing into some of the widespread hen species globally.
Eurasian Collared-Dove – Species #41
The Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is a hen species that has quickly expanded its vary throughout North America in current a long time, together with the Central Valley of California. They’re simply acknowledged by their distinct options, similar to a buff-colored physique, a black crescent-shaped collar on their nape, and a protracted, square-tipped tail. Adults measure about 12 inches in size and weigh round 6-8 ounces.
These doves are recognized for his or her adaptability and resilience, which have allowed them to thrive in city and suburban environments. They feed on quite a lot of seeds, fruits, and grains, and might usually be discovered foraging on the bottom or perching on rooftops or phone wires. In addition they have a novel courtship conduct, the place the male performs a collection of flights and calls to draw a mate.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove’s pure historical past within the Central Valley of California continues to be being studied, however they’re believed to breed all year long, with peaks through the spring and fall. Their nesting websites are sometimes positioned in timber or shrubs, and each dad and mom take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the younger. These birds are thought-about a non-native invasive species in California, and their fast growth has raised issues about their impression on native hen populations and agricultural crops.
Earlier posts from the Be taught 100 Widespread Valley Birds collection:
