Wings on Wednesday - Juvenile Collared Dove

There are lots of juvenile birds visiting the garden at the moment. About a week ago I spotted two juvenile Great Tits. Unfortunately they wouldn't stay in one place long enough to photograph them. I am hoping they were two of the youngsters which fledged from my nest box.

This morning there was a juvenile Collared Dove resting on the beam which holds the seed feeders.. I think it had only recently fledged as it looked unsure of its surroundings and what to do next. It was startled every time one of the smaller birds landed nearby. A juvenile lacks the black collar of the adult and the iris in the eyes is brown. That will turn red as the bird matures.

At first I photographed through the kitchen window.



Then I moved to photographing through the conservatory window - single glazed so introduces less distortion. Finally I went outside. Though slightly apprehensive the bird let me get quite close for some much clearer shots.





Eventually it flew down to the ground to find some of the seed which the smaller birds drop from the feeders.