Dovekie
Alle alle
Identification Tips:
- Length: 6.75 inches
- Sexes similar
- Immature like basic-plumaged adult
- Very small alcid that dives for food from water surface
- Short, dark bill
- White edges to scapulars
- Thin, white trailing edge to secondaries
- Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
Adult alternate
- Blackish head, neck, back, wings, and tail
- White breast, belly, and undertail coverts
Adult basic
- White throat and upper breast
- Whitish crescent on side of neck
- Dark face
Similar species:
The very small size and short bill make this alcid easy to distinguish
from other alcids inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.