A second new species has been added to the tally of known window-strikes in downtown Omaha. Both were at the same building in downtown Omaha.
Saturday morning, July 7th, a big, dead dove was found on the south side of the First National Bank, on the sidewalk along Dodge Street. A couple of pictures were taken and the carcass was taken for further consideration, since bank security will harass anyone taking pictures in the vicinity of the corporation buildings. The carcass was completely on a public sidewalk, so any confrontation based upon the typical threats by security personnel would have been of no significance.
An inspection of the birds' details later confirmed that it was an Eurasian Collared-Dove, with the neck-marking prevalent, and the difference in size to a Mourning Dove indicative. It appeared to be an adult, as there was nothing in its plumage features to convey it was a juvenile hatched this season.
This was the first time this species has been noted in the downtown Omaha area, despite a multitude of excursions throughout the area during other window-strike surveys.
The little doves are regularly seen, and it was quite a surprise to find its larger cousin dead.
The closest known occurrences of live birds have been one seen a couple of times near 30th and Cuming Streets, this year and earlier. A large flock was present during last winter - and noted several times - near the grain elevators south of 12th and Locust Street. One or two have also been heard and seen during early summer at Levi Carter Park.
Based upon an interpretation of the scenario, it's possible that the first visit into the city-scape of downtown Omaha by this dove species ended when it smashed into the glass exterior of the bank building.
This carcass was disposed of at a suitable green space, to return the bird to its earthly origins, rather than having it thrown indifferently into the trash.
On another Saturday morning, June 2nd, a Cliff Swallow was found at the west entry of the same First National Bank. It was also dead on the public sidewalk.
This species had also never been previously noted as a window-strike victim in downtown.
For both instances to be at the same building and also on the morning of the same day of the week seems somewhat ironic. Though of course that does not matter to the dead birds.
Each fatality was a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is not being enforced in regards to window strikes at Omaha, by the supposed regulatory agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The First National Bank Corporation is well aware of window strikes at their facilities, especially the First National Tower, but have purposely ignored requests by the F.W.S. to avert the strikes. They have not accepted any responsibility for multiple and ongoing fatalities, despite their presenting features which are known to present hazards to migratory wild birds.
These two records of dead birds are just the most recent examples.
