A rare white-winged dove has been spotted in Bermuda.

Andrew Dobson, president of the Audubon Society, said: “The native range of the white-winged dove is the Southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

“In recent years with increasing urbanisation and backyard feeding, it has expanded its range along the Gulf Coast.”

The dove was seen by student Eva Bottelli, an Audubon member who is also a volunteer at BAMZ.

The bird first visited her garden on November 29 and was last seen on December 6.

Mr Dobson said: “White-winged doves are similar to but larger than our local mourning doves. Their distinguishing feature is a bold white wing patch that is very obvious in flight and a neat white crescent along the folded wing at rest.

“Adults have a patch of blue, featherless skin around each eye and a long, dark mark on the lower face. Their eyes are bright crimson.”

This species has never been recorded on the local Christmas bird count and the Bermuda Audubon Society is keen to receive news of further sightings.

Please e-mail info@audubon.bm.