In the past couple of years (since March 1999-- the beginning of the area checklist survey), the immediate land around Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in south Columbus has produced a good variety of birds.  This is due to a nice array of habitats, including two large application fields (owned by the Columbus Water Works) and the old landfill site, which is covered with sparse grass and weeds.   These fields attract large numbers of dove including Rock (Columba livia),  LOTS of Mourning (Zenaida macroura), and Common Ground (Columbina passerina).

On March 8, 2001, I did a thorough scan of the old landfill site, just north of the learning center.   At around 12:30PM I flushed 3 doves, one of which was a White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica).  The bird flushed into the immediate trees and was noticeably plumper, and paler on the breast than the nearby Mournings.  This was an adult bird, with a bright blue orbital around a reddish eye.  The spot between the auricular and malar regions on the face was black, not gray.  Of note-- When agitated and about to fly, the bird would flick and fan its tail, showing the white corners on the tail.

Description

• About 12 inches long

• Uniform gray on head, back, and wings--slightly lighter gray on breast 

• Squared off tail was dark gray, with white corners 

• Deep orange eye with bright blue orbital region  

• Black spot below auricular region  

• Bold white leading edge of folded wing (conspicuous in flight)

The bird did not vocalize.

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