From: Brian Finch <birdfinch@gmail.com>
Date: 2010-03-06 02:39
Subject: Fw: black-billed wood-dove observations kerio
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Brian Finch <birdfinch@gmail.com>
To: Itai Shanni <itaisha1@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sat, 6 March, 2010 10:35:37
Subject: black-billed wood-dove observations kerio

Hi Itai,
Flat out writing up the reports for the last tour, but something in
the meantime…

Best for now
Brian


Dear All,
I have yet to write up the latest tour, but will shortly. In the
mean-time here is the most interesting observation. This is identical
to how it has been submitted to the East African Rarities Committee.
Best Birding
Brian



BLACK-BILLED WOOD DOVE Turtur abyssinicus
IN THE KERIO VALLEY KENYA.                                          Brian W Finch

On 28th November 1995, I was birdwatching with a group of Americans in
the Kerio Valley, a kilometre on the Kabarnet side of the Kapluk Road
Junction (itself just south along the Kerio River).

The vegetation was lightly bushed with Croton and similar shrubs, very
scattered Acacias, and large open areas of barren stoney ground
without cover apart from scant herbs and Vinca rosea.

We flushed a small dove from the base of a bush, which flew back past
us and settled on a horizontal branch three metres above the ground in
an Acacia.

I naturally assumed the bird to be an Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur
chalcospila, but was very surprised on looking at the bird, to find
not green but deep blue spots on the coverts. I then announced that
the bird was not an Emerald-spotted but a Blue-spotted Wood Dove. On
the second glance I noticed that the bill was all black although the
bird was clearly adult, the crown and forehead were silvery-grey, not
soft lavender, and the back was cold grey not the pale brownish grey
of afer. The underparts were also pale grey, not warm buff. With this
combination of features I realised that I was studying a Black-billed
Wood Dove, not a Blue-spotted Wood Dove, and advised the group
accordingly.

The bird perched for several minutes, only seven metres distant, and
appeared quite unconcerned, but when it flew off it flew far down the
valley. However excellent views were obtained, and the following
description taken.

Size and shape, just like T. chalcospila and afer. Head grey, with
silvery-grey forehead and crown. Eye blackish, a narrow black line
from eye to base of the all black bill. Wings cold grey, wing coverts
with four deep blue spots, the upper two offset to the leading edge to
the wing, the four spots forming the points of a rough diamond
configuration. Flight feathers rich rust in flight. Back cold grey
without any tinge of brown or other warm colouration, and two blackish
bars across the rump typical of the genus. Underparts cold grey,
without the warm buff shades found in afer.

I saw the species again nearby the following year 1996 and again in
1999, in the same general  area, again with multiple observers. With
such a claim it was difficult to prove the species as far as a new
bird for Kenya was concerned without some more evidence, as there
would always be people saying quite rightly, basing the observation on
an iridescence is a difficult point, with blue merging with greens
depending on the angle of light striking the feathers. So I did make
it known that I thought that there was the possibility of small
population of Black-billed Wood Dove in the bottom of the Kerio
Valley. Even a month ago whilst here with some other Kenyan birding
residents, we were keeping a wary eye and chasing wood-doves, but only
finding Emerald-spotted.

On 23rd February 2010, I was leading a group of overseas birders and
we were having our lunch in the middle of the day, in the forest patch
down the quarry road to the right immediately before crossing the
Kerio River from Kabarnet.
There were a couple of wood-doves feeding along the edge of some dense
scrub, and a client said the wing-spots were blue. On hearing this I
asked what colour was the bill, black they replied. My interest was
now more on the bird than the sandwich, and I went to see them. They
flew, but no great distance, and we were fortunate in relocating them.
Typical of the genus, they were wary but we had good views as they
waddled around in circles whilst feeding. As they moved they reflected
light from all directions, there was no doubt that the wing spots were
blue without any hint of green, and equally that the bill was all
black. I managed to get a few rather poor images as it was quite
strongly dappled light, and the birds distant. These images show the
features of the blue-spots and the all black bill and I am now ready
to submit the record as Black-billed Wood Dove for Kenya.
There were Emerald-spotted Wood Doves in the same area, and these were
typical of the species. The pattern and colour of the birds suggested
that both of the pair were adults, and having had Blue-spotted
Wood-Doves in my Mara garden for nine years (together with
Emerald-spotted) I frequently saw immature birds and these too showed
red on the bills before the adult pattern was attained.
The two birds were identical, and as follows;
Overall appearance pallid, with the pale greyish upperparts
contrasting little with the greyish-white belly. Head conspicuously
hooded, pale blue-grey on rear half, but white from top of forehead to
base of bill and even whiter on the throat. Wing spots large and
iridescent deepish blue from every angle. Bill all black from base to
tip. Structurally identical to other members of the genus.

I believe that there is an overlooked resident population of
Black-billed Wood-Dove in the Kerio Valley, having had sightings
spanning fourteen years. It would be surprising if the population is
only confined here, and does not extend northwards along the base of
the western wall of the Rift Valley where habitat is similar.