#bandtailedpigeon

We've been getting a lot of band-tailed pigeons at the feeders. For people who haven't experienced them, they are huge, just a bit smaller than a crow, with a wingspan about twice that of a rock dove (i.e. city pigeon). And they travel in flocks.

Here's a flock taking off from the back yard. I think I count 33 in that photo.

#birdwatching #bandtailedpigeon #photography #urbanwildlife

First #BandTailedPigeon of the year today, a singleton flying overhead. I often see these moving about in April and May, so right on schedule. Similar in size and shape to #RockPigeon but there is something about a Bandtail that immediately stands out, even distant in silhouette, and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. Also around here are #EurasianCollaredDove and #MourningDove. I should try to consciously unpack the tacit ID cues that I use to tell these four apart in flight.

#Birding