Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Ruddy Ground-Dove
Scientific name:	Columbina talpacoti
Date:	9-9-2019
Time:	2:42 pm
Length of time observed:	1 minute
Number:	1
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Lower Cottonwood Creek, West Abajo Mtns.
County:	San Juan
Latilong:	N 37.78795, W 109.70416
Elevation:	6000 - 7000 feet
Distance to bird:	30-40 feet
Optical equipment:	none
Weather:	clear, sunny, no wind, low 90'sF
Light Conditions:	bright
Description: Size of bird:	small sized dove, about 7 inches long, with short wingspan
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Small, stocky body, short wings and short tail.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	gray/brown back with little contrast to head, bright rufous tail
(Description:) Bill Type:	observed from back as flying away low to ground
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Short wings in flight, quick wing beats, short bright rufous tail, flying low to ground.
Song or call & method of delivery:	none
Behavior:	Foraging on ground next to road, flew rapidly away low to ground with other doves as we approached in our car.
Habitat:	Cedar, sage brush, scrub oak, small riparian stream flow.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Flying with 6 larger doves (5 Mourning Doves & 1 White-winged Dove). White-winged Dove was much larger & heavier with white band on tail in flight. Mourning Doves similar in size to White-winged Doves but with larger, longer pointed wings and brownish backs. Compared to the Common Ground Dove, Common Ground Doves lack bright rufous upper tail.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	none
References consulted:	Sibley Guide to Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Resources
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kathleen & Hal Robins
Observer's address:	2235 Stillman Ln, Salt Lake City, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	none
Date prepared:	9-12-2019
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