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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Diamond Dove
        
(Message started by: yip on Dec 3rd, 2003, 12:43am)
Title: Diamond Dove
Post by yip on Dec 3rd, 2003, 12:43am
Three tiny dove-like birds seen in Tai Mo Shan yesterday morning, 02/12/2003 at about 10:30.
Size is about 6-7 inches, about half that of a spotted dove. Greyish head and neck, red eye-ring, greyish brown upperparts with white spots on wings. They were first seen on the road and then they moved to the shrubs nearby.
The following pictures were taken by Nikon 995 at a close distance of about 2-3 metres. Sorry for the poor quality.
Could anyone help to identify this bird? I have also checked for reference and found that a bird called diamond dove, commonly found in Australia woodland, fits the descriptive features of this bird. Could it be that?

Yip

http://hk.geocities.com/meowsam888/Dove1.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/yip/yip_01.jpg
http://hk.geocities.com/meowsam888/Dove2.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/yip/yip_02.jpg
http://hk.geocities.com/meowsam888/Dove3.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/yip/yip_03.jpg
http://hk.geocities.com/meowsam888/Dove4.jpg
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/fileServer/PhotoG/yip/yip_04.jpg
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by John Allcock on Dec 3rd, 2003, 1:52pm
These are indeed diamond doves from Australia - they are almost certainly escapes from captivity.

I saw 10 individuals of this species at Brides Pool on 1st October which showed obvious cage damage (damaged tail feathers etc.) so it is possible that quite a few have been imported recently.

I suggest that you send this record, and if possible a description of the birds, to the records commitee.
Title: Re: Diamond dove 寶石姬地鳩
Post by yip on Dec 3rd, 2003, 8:49pm
Diamond dove 寶石姬地鳩
Tai Mo Shan Country Park 大帽山郊野公園
2/12/2003

Hi, John, thanks a lot.   I'll send the record to the record committee.
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by Mike_Kilburn on Dec 3rd, 2003, 9:05pm
It is likely with some any birds found together that these birds have been deliberataely released by Buddhists seeking to gain merit by freeing a captive bird.

Sadly this trade causes many thousands of birds to be caught from the wild and imported to Hong Kong (when a huge percentage die during the transportation) so that they can be released in the wrong habitat (Hong Kong is not Australia!) and will probably quickly die.

Some Buddhist associations are now encouraging their members not to buy animals and birds for release because of the negative impact and the thousands of needless deaths of wild birds.

I wuld be interested to hear what Buddhist memebrs of the Society think about this issue.  There may be a role for the society in working with Buddhist associations in the future.

Mike  
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by bjingbar on Dec 3rd, 2003, 10:14pm
"There may be a role for the society in working with Buddhist associations in the future. "

A very good idea Mike

Every week some "kind hearted sole" releases 30 to 50 frogs in one of the streams running into Pokfulam Reservoir but within several days they are all dead

Bob
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by Samson So on Jan 20th, 2004, 4:41pm
I have got a dead one on 12 Dec 2003, near Tai Mei Tuk.  It was probably one of the group.  

Samson
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by Owen on Jan 20th, 2004, 9:57pm

on 12/03/03 at 21:05:18, Mike_Kilburn wrote:
It is likely with some any birds found together that these birds have been deliberataely released by Buddhists seeking to gain merit by freeing a captive bird.

Sadly this trade causes many thousands of birds to be caught from the wild and imported to Hong Kong (when a huge percentage die during the transportation) so that they can be released in the wrong habitat (Hong Kong is not Australia!) and will probably quickly die.

Some Buddhist associations are now encouraging their members not to buy animals and birds for release because of the negative impact and the thousands of needless deaths of wild birds.

I wuld be interested to hear what Buddhist memebrs of the Society think about this issue.  There may be a role for the society in working with Buddhist associations in the future.

Mike  


Mike, your msg bring back my memories last year someday when I was snap in Wong Tai Sin. I saw a couple they bring two bag of birds there and leave them on the floor.  Seems they are looking for some expert help or waiting for a good time to RELEASE those birds.  Well, I think if I'm their god and see such happening.  I certianly will let them got what they deserve to...

Forgot to tell I took this photo at Oct 1, 2003, 14:08 Noon which was a real hot summer day.

http://www.pbase.com/image/25307288.jpg
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by Owlet-nightjar on Jan 21st, 2004, 9:36am
This is a typical example of doing a bad thing with a kind heart.  There is no doubt that most of them doing it with a good intention.
Still, it could also be an act of selfishness, just to fullfill one's desire to get praise or to do something good.
Our kind hearted citizens need to know the facts, education takes time, especially in a religion related culture.

I think Kadoorie Farm has been working on this issue for sometimes.
It is still a good new that some Buddhist associations are not encouraging believers to buy and free.  

It's not easy or practical to contact all related religious associations.  
We might start by keeping records of the deaths; produce brochure(s)...etc.
Any ideas?
Title: Re: Is it certain kind of dove?
Post by AL on Jan 23rd, 2004, 6:21pm
I took this picture on 5th Nov 03 at Wan Chai Gap Road.

I think it's also a diamond dove. Please correct me if I was wrong. This poor birdy seemed to be hurt and lost the power of flight as I could nearly touch it's head. There should be a group of at least 3 when I was there.

It seems that the activity of fleeing birds is so common that this species also "penetrate" into HK island hillside too? Personally i have never witness this activity.  :-[http://nethome.no-ip.com/~image/LIM/051103WCG.jpg


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