FreeLists / bristol-birds / [bristol-birds] Strange Dove Action

["Mayhorn" <mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bristol Area Birders,
Yesterday from my window I was watching some Mourning Doves at my feeders,
when I noticed something unusual. One of the doves would take a few steps
forward, then suddenly walk in reverse with its tail in the air. It kept
repeating this action, sometimes backing up as much as 5 or 6 feet. It would
then fly back to its original feeding spot and start again. It seemed as if
the bird had no control over its reversing action. It was not backing up in
response to other birds, because at times there would be no other birds in
its immediate area. Also it would sometimes change directions while backing.
After looking at video of the bird several times it is my belief that this
dove has a neurological problem over which it has no control. It otherwise
seemed to be a healthy bird. Has anyone else seen behavior of this type?

Roger Mayhorn
Grundy, VA

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