Laughing Doves in Eivissa

 

Spilopelia senegalensis, Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

 

On 17 March 2023, four adult Laughing Doves Spilopelia senegalensis were seen near Cal Guerxo, Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Eivissa, Balearic Islands (Ricard Gutiérrez, Vanessa Cadenas, Ramón Ruiz-Jarillo, Diego García-Ferré, Balma Albalat, Santiago Palazón). Several photos were obtained and the list was uploaded to eBird.

At least there were two different males and one confirmed female. We observed territorial behaviour between both males despite in a particular moment (photo above) all four birds shared a single almond-tree branch. No sign of captivity in the plumage of the birds was noted, with wings and tail in good condition (see enclosed photos).

The habitat was a low density periurban area, which includes a school, a football court and a number of scattered houses sorrounded by Mediterranean dryland cultivations. 

Birds were seen in close comparison to Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto and apparently they gatherd in the area for drinking purposes. Once some works begun in the area they were drinking and feeding they left the area.

Spilopelia senegalensis, Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

Spilopelia senegalensis, Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

Spilopelia senegalensis, Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

Spilopelia senegalensis, Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

Spilopelia senegalensis, Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

Streptopelia decaocto (left ) & Spilopelia senegalensis (right), Eivissa, 17.3.2023 © Ricard Gutiérrez

Discussion

We visited the area on 24 February 2023 without any Laughing Dove observation because of a couple of previous records in the area from local birder Jordi Serapio, both involving a single bird:

According to Jordi there are scattered records of the species in the area since 2016 and the last Spanish breeding atlas (Lorenzo 2022) quotes the species as breeder in this part of the island. However, the only three recent sightings of the species are the outlined above. Besides the species remains considered as a rarity in the Balearics and mainland Spain (López-Jurado et al 2022).

The record of 4 Laughing doves outnumbers any other previous recent record in NE Spain. Given the paucity of observers in the area and the extension of suitable habitat in this part of the island, there may be more Laughing doves in Eivissa. 

References

  • Lorenzo, J. A. 2022. Tórtola senegalesa Spilopelia senegalensis. In, B. Molina, A. Nebreda, A. R. Muñoz, J. Seoane, R. Real, J. Bustamante y J. C. del Moral: III Atlas de las aves en época de reproducción en España. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid. https://atlasaves.seo.org/ave/tortola-senegalesa/ 
  • López-Jurado C., McMinn M., Triay R., Moss J., Llabrés X., Rebassa M., & Sunyer J.R. 2022 Observacions d’aus rares a les Balears al 2021 / Rare birds in Balearics in 2021. Anuari Ornitològic de les Balears, 36:60-79

Citation

Gutiérrez, R. 2023 Laughing Doves in Eivissa. Rare Birds in Spain Blog. https://rarebirdspain.blogspot.com/2023/03/laughing-doves-in-eivissa.html

 





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