PhilSteiner
Well-known member
I took these photos a couple weeks ago at around 3,350m/11,000ft asl. I'd marked them as one Hill Pigeon (the top bird in the third photo) and 3 columba sp. which I suspected were Rock Pigeons (by habitat and distance from any people I'd think they are wild rather than feral but wouldn't call them that based on these poor photos). Another birder thinks some of these could be Snow Pigeons because: "Three of the birds appear to have black heads, which is diagnostic for Snow Pigeon. The angle is difficult, and there is a chance that the black on the head is just shadow. For three birds to have that same pattern of shadow, however, seems unlikely. In addition, the light looks bright, and the possible “shadow” looks like it is on the side from which the light came from."
I had chalked up dark heads to shadow, and dismissed the possibility of Snow Pigeon because the other three birds don't appear to have white tail bands. I'd love any other input.
I had chalked up dark heads to shadow, and dismissed the possibility of Snow Pigeon because the other three birds don't appear to have white tail bands. I'd love any other input.
