Inca Dove 28 November 2010, Wister Unit, Imperial Wildlife Management Area,
Niland, Imperial County, CA Photos © 2010 Joseph Morlan
This species has expanded its range in recent decades, first reaching the Imperial Valley in 1984. Prior to then, it was restricted to a few localities along the Colorado River. It is usually found around human dwellings foraging on the ground. This was part of a flock of six birds at one of the northernmost outposts for the species in California. A recent report, documented by photos, of an Inca Dove at Esparto, Yolo County, in Northern California is thought to be an escaped captive. Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LZ5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter) |