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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Z is for the pretty little Zebra Dove


We spent a week in Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii, in December, 2010, and our most frequent visitor at the Pono Kai Resort was the adorable little Zebra Dove seen here (above). Sometimes she would bring a friend, perhaps her sweetheart (bottom photo). Unfortunately, our photos, taken in the bright early morning light, don't show the lovely blue coloring of the Zebra Dove, also known as the Barred Ground Dove, but the Wikipedia picture below clearly shows the blue beak and face, and the distinctive blue area around the eye. It also shows the long, graceful tail.


Zebra Doves are small,
20-23 cm (8-9 inches) in length, with a 24-26 cm (9-10 inch) wingspan.

Introduced to Hawaii in 1922, where some were deliberately or accidentally released from captivity, the Zebra Dove flourished there, and is one of the most common birds seen in Hawaii. In its native Indonesia, however, it is becoming an endangered species due to trapping, because of its popularity as a cagebird.


Posted for the letter Z
in the popular photo meme
ABC Wednesday

To see how others around the world have used the letter Z, please click HERE!

34 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a great one for the Z Day! And what a lovely bird! Terrific captures as always! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Roger Owen Green said...

previously unfamiliar w the zebra dove- pretty.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Nanka said...

Lovely Doves but new to me. They look very timid too.

Leslie: said...

How lucky is that! To be visited by one particular bird...and a very interesting, unique one, too. Have a great week, Kay! :D

Hildred said...

Ah, what sweethearts. Dreadful to think of caging them.

Richard Lawry said...

I haven't seen a Zebra Dove. I guess I will have to go to Hawaii.

An Arkies Musings

??? said...

They are beautiful and I can certainly see how they got their name.

Gigi Ann said...

We have Mourning Doves, but never saw a Zebra Dove before. They are a pretty bird, that's for sure.

Barbara said...

How lovely, they are new to me, a great one for Z.

photowannabe said...

I never knew there was a dove called a Zebra Dove. They are so sweet looking. Perfect word for the letter Z.

jabblog said...

It is a pretty little dove, to be sure. How pleasant to be visited daily by one (or two)

Francisca said...

How sweet these photos you took of the Zebra Dove, Kay! I like the warm morning sun on them. Super Z post. Hope you are feeling well... see you again in a few weeks.

EG CameraGirl said...

Zebra doves!? How different! Neat post, Kay.

Mr Puddy said...

For me, I love the first two photos, key
So Much Details !!!
Fat and Big enough to fill my cat's tummy...Full !...hee...hee

But my mom, she like the last one !, She said she like the lighting of this photo : )

Please Have a Great Day Kay and Lindy
xxxxx
Puddy

Carver said...

I love your shot of the zebra dove. The lighting is very lovely to me although good to see the google image of its true colors. Great choice for Z.

Wanda said...

I just adore your Zebra Doves. We have doves in our back yard, but these are so unique and lovely...did they "coo ~coo" at your window?

Mom vs. the boys said...

awww so cute, I've never hear of them

Tumblewords: said...

Great shots! I don't remember seeing any of the zebra doves but had several other dove types hang around my house this past summer. So different.

Ebie said...

How unique and beautiful! I have never seen Zebra doves before.

Your posts are always one of a kind!

Gattina said...

They look funny, with their messy feathers, lol ! Never saw such doves !
Water retrieves in Belgium, but the people are without heating and it rains and we just have 4°C that's really bad !
If you have time have a look on my 7 weeks old grandson (poor thing)

ChrisJ said...

I love the zebra doves in Hawaii. Their soft cooing is the most typical sound of Hawaii even as you step out of the airport.

Andy said...

Great closeup Kay!

Mara said...

I was wondering about the zebra part of the little beauty and then I saw the last few photos. Lovely bird and great Z!

SquirrelQueen said...

What a beautiful little dove, they look so sweet. I have never heard of the Zebra dove before. Great photos Kay.

Rune Eide said...

A very interesting Z, especially since this bird is new to me. Thank you for the info!

Cildemer said...

Lovely! Love doves and your pics are very beautiful!
That's a very original post for Zday. Didn't know about those doves. Thanks for sharing ;o)


***
Have a happy ABC Wednesday****

Cheryl said...

Great find for Z. I'd never heard of zebra doves. Really quite gorgeous.

nonizamboni said...

And I thought that Mourning Doves were the prettiest! Their Hawaiian cousins are so dear. . .thanks for sharing your trip to a warmer climate too.

Martha said...

What a pretty bird!

Thank you for your addition to my Z post. I learned about the Acadians when my husband did a job in the Acadiana Mall in Lafayette, Louisiana. Funny thing is I was exchanging an airline ticket, originally bound for Halifax, for one which would take me to Lafayette. And yes, it is the fiddle and accordion that make the musical styles so similar.

Jay at The Depp Effect said...

I really don't understand the desire to trap and cage wild birds. Poor things. :(

The Zebra doves are so pretty!

Joy said...

I love their round chubby stance. The morning light shows their stripes off a treat.

Strummed Words said...

A beautiful bird with interesting markings!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Isn't she a pretty little delicate thing! Somebody told me once that doves were the most common bird in the world -- I don't know about that but even if they are I love looking at and listening to -- them.

Beverley Baird said...

What a lovely bird! I've neverheard of it! Always something interesting to see and learn from your travels!
have a great weekend!