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pheasant, Gambel's quail, mountain quail, and white-tailed ptarmigan) have <br />• been introduced. There is some doubt whether mountain quail have ever <br />become established from releases near Gateway, Colorado. Gambel's quail <br />and ringnecked pheasant are both restricted to agricultural areas or <br />riparian habitat in the lower valleys. Chukar were introduced in the <br />1950's and have become established in rough canyon lands throughout much of <br />the region below 6,000 feet. White-tailed ptarmigan have been introduced <br />in several alpine areas. <br />Most if not all wild turkey populations in the area are a result of <br />transplants dating back as far as 1930's. Populations are scattered <br />throughout the region where mountain shrub and aspen types occur. The <br />Uncompahgre Plateau, Plateau Valley, and North Fork Valley support the <br />greatest populations. <br />• Native grouse make up the last three members of this order. The blue <br />grouse is the most common and widespread, occurring throughout the region <br />above 7,000 feet. The sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse have not fared <br />as well as the blue grouse. Both species now occur in separated <br />populations; their numbers and areas of occupation have been greatly <br />reduced since European settlement in the region. <br />Three species from the order Columbiformes are present in the area. <br />Two species (mourning dove and band-tailed pigeon) are classified as game <br />birds, while the third (rock dove) is an introduced species. Mourning <br />doves, which are summer residents, occur in all but the very highest areas <br />in elevation. This bird is most abundant at lower elevations, nesting in <br />trees or on the ground. Disturbed areas with an abundance of weed seeds or <br />• <br />2.04-59 <br />