Which Turtle Dove? Iran, Khorasan-e Jonobi, Nov. 2022 (1 Viewer)

[Pedrambirder]

Hi all,
These two shots belong to one of our bird watchers, Mr. Samii.
I tried to modify saturation and warmth of his shots, so attached both files.
It would be fine to know some keys for ID, between Rufous & European, if possible.
I tried to find some pictures of Juvenile (S. o. meena), but couldn't find any...

 

[Dawsy]

I'm no expert but I think the very broad dark centres to the feathers make this rufous.

 

[THE_FERN]

I'm no expert but I think the very broad dark centres to the feathers make this rufous.

I agree with this. European is meant to have a pinker breast and brighter orange/brownish feathering too

 

[andyb39]

Oriental for me too - the eye has a circular orbital ring rather than a leaf-shaped one as in European. Also, as Dawsy says, lots of dark centres to the scapulars, etc.

 

[Pedrambirder]

Thanks for your comments @Dawsy , @THE_FERN & @andyb39
I have the same idea as you all said for same reasons, but also there is a doubt about the width of the white band on the tail, could it be an important key for an European one or normal to be seen in Oriental?

 

[Pedrambirder]

Thanks for your comments @Dawsy , @THE_FERN & @andyb39
I have the same idea as you all said for same reasons, but also there is a doubt about the width of the white band on the tail, could it be an important key for an European one or normal to be seen in Oriental?

@ehsan 🤔 any idea?

 

[Muppit17]

Thanks for your comments @Dawsy , @THE_FERN & @andyb39
I have the same idea as you all said for same reasons, but also there is a doubt about the width of the white band on the tail, could it be an important key for an European one or normal to be seen in Oriental?

There is a difference between the two races, meena and orientalis, in the coloration of the tail band, so I suspect that your question is related solely to meena, which I guess is also the race you get in Iran, and also the race I am most familiar with from Central Asia, including my trip to Uzbekistan this May.

I saw both species, although European was by far the rarer of the two. However I have to admit that I didn't notice any real difference in tail band width and certainly wouldn't claim one on this feature alone.

 

[Pedrambirder]

There is a difference between the two races, meena and orientalis, in the coloration of the tail band, so I suspect that your question is related solely to meena, which I guess is also the race you get in Iran, and also the race I am most familiar with from Central Asia, including my trip to Uzbekistan this May.

I saw both species, although European was by far the rarer of the two. However I have to admit that I didn't notice any real difference in tail band width and certainly wouldn't claim one on this feature alone.

Thank you,
Yes exactly, by Oriental in my last comment, I meant Streptopelia orientalis meena which is possible to be seen in Iran, as you also mentioned correctly.