Monday, March 26, 2007

Mourning Dove


Some facts about Mourning Doves:



  • Its scientific name is Zenaida macroura.

  • The mother is able to produce a milky substance that is fed to the young ones through its mouth.

  • Breeding partners often stick together for a very long time.

  • The cooing sounds they make marks the commencement of such important periods as asserting territory, nesting, and raising its young ones. (I used to think that the sound was being made by owls).

  • Any slight threat from predators can easily drive away a nesting couple, leaving eggs and younglings behind.

I have no problem with mourning doves. They are much more well-behaved than pigeons at my feeders.


I've noticed a couple of things about doves in the backyard. One thing is that they like to sit on the edge of the birdbath without drinking or bathing. Another is that they seems to wink a lot during mating season. I think this may be tied in with courtship.

9 comments:

LauraHinNJ said...

I'll have to pay attention that winking.

;-)

I have quite a few around my yard, especially now when they like to sit under the Rose of Sharon hedge and bask in the afternoon sun.

Larry said...

I like the Rose of Sharon Hedges because they attract Humminbirds.

Anonymous said...

The Mourning Doves are great birds and I agree they are some of the good guys at the feeder. Great blog you have here! I am adding you to my RSS feed!

Ruth said...

I enjoy hearing the mourning doves when I awaken in the morning and enjoy watching them, even though they are so common. Interesting info.
Ruth

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I'm glad to hear there are folks out there that don't hate mourning doves! They seem sweet and gentle and I really love their calls.

Winking? Are you joking about that?

Larry said...

Wasn't joking about the winking/blinking.-It turns out that this is-part of the courtship:
"As courtship progresses, the nest call is accompanied by a gentle flipping of the wings over the back, opling eyes: mutual winking or blinking, and seductive turning and nodding of the head."

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Your quoted description of dove courtship sounds like behavior I've seen in a bar! (although it's been about a hundred years since I've been in a bar...)

tina FCD said...

Where I live people wanted to pass a bill that would legalize hunting of these pretty birds. What a waste if it had passed. I love the mourning doves.

Larry said...

Lynne-I can see the comparison.
Tina-sounds like it didn't pass which is good news.