11/20/2010

This afternoon I looked for Eurasian Collared-Doves in Celina (Mercer
Co.).  Initially striking out at the grain elevator on Market St, I
randomly drove around some residential streets and within 15 minutes I
was looking at 3 individuals hanging out around 614 S Elm St.  Two of
the birds seemed extra flighty for reasons initially unclear, but it
soon became apparent that they were an obvious pair flying around
together.  I watched them for a while and saw them allopreening, which
is part of their nest site selection display according to the Birds of
North America species account.  I'm not sure why they would be doing a
nest site selection display at this time of year--perhaps they also
allopreen while they are establishing a pair bond.

I managed to snap a neat photo of the doves allopreening.  I posted it
on my Flickr site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveslager/5193078143/in/photostream/

Good birding,

Dave Slager
Columbus, Ohio

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