Thursday, July 26, 2018

Mourning Doves...







- The Mourning Dove -
A graceful, slender-tailed, small headed dove, 
delicate tan to buffy-brown overall with black spots on it's wings.
With a similar look,
the female Mourning Dove is slightly paler than the male with less gray on their head.
The first four pictures may be a female, the later three a male.
Mourning Doves mate for life.

You can listen to their sweet cooing call here.

23 comments:

BeachGypsy said...

We have quite a few here and yes, I sure do love to listen to their sweet songs! You asked about the peacocks and nope, I don't see those anywhere around really. I know they were a "status symbol" back in the old days and wealthy people kept them not only out on the country plantations like the ones I showed, but also right here in the city on their lawns. I only know of them out in the country nowadays. I love looking at them! Another place they roam freely is down at Weeki Wachee springs, I like to sit and watch them there too.

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic shots Debbie. I love to wake up to the cooing of the mourning doves.

Sandi said...

For the longest time, I thought these were Morning Doves. Mourning Doves is so sad!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is not hard to see why doves were considered in virtually every mythology and religion (same thing) to be messengers of peace. They truly are delicate little birds with an engaging personality. Their call certainly is mournful -to our ears anyway. I had not known that this species mates for life (unusual in a member of this family) and I can find no evidence to support that statement. This does not mean that it is not true, but I would really appreciate knowing where you gleaned that information. Some populations are migratory and males and females winter in different areas. This does not preclude mated pairs from joining each other again in their breeding territory.

Noke said...

Trauertauben sind das kannte ich bisher nicht aber schöne Bilder.

Noke

Sally said...

Beautiful photo's, Debbie, as always. I've often thought, like your friend, Sandi that mourning doves sounds sad. And, when you look closely their eyes actually do look sad. :(

xoxo

Debbie said...

i found this information on google, if you google mourning doves, 3rd entry - "people also ask", it is the 6th question.

Do mourning doves mate for life?
Studies show mourning doves do mate for life, but dove life isn't very long. Most only last several years before getting caught by hawks or cats, shot by hunters, etc. And when that happens, the surviving dove has to find a new mate.Mar 18, 2012

i did not research it any further!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Debbie! I love your beautiful Mourning Doves. They are so sweet. Great photos, the doves here spooked easily. I guess mine are camera shy! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

Changes in the wind said...

In those first few pictures it looks as if she is curious about you:) They are a gentle bird.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Aren't they the sweetest looking things. Well, titmice and chickadees can't be beat, but doves are really cool.

Angie said...

These doves are so precious, especially with the cooing sound. I do find them quite skittish … it seems if I even look at them out of a window, they take flight!

Jill said...

I think they get a bum rap. At least here, my neighbors hate them. I find them to be almost tame and I love hearing their unmistakable coo. I've always loved them! Thanks for sharing these delightful shots!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh how I love these sweet gentle birds. I heard them singing outside all morning and I love it.You got wonderful pictures.

Louca por porcelana said...

Great pics!They are cute.Hugs!

Lowcarb team member said...

Such beautiful photographs Debbie …

All the best Jan

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Wow, you really managed to get some great close-up shots! Beautiful captures.

Brian King said...

Beautiful photos! I like it when they puff up in the winter to stay warm.

Marie Smith said...

I love the way they tip their heads and puff themselves up! Great photos Debbie!

LeAnn said...

Oh my friend, I love these beautiful close up shots you got of the Mourning Doves. I think I told you we had a pair of mates that nested in our tree out front. I loved following and read up on them. I think it is awesome they are mates for life. They do watch over their babies and I loved learning about them. These are fantastic photos. Blessings and hugs!

Karen Lakis said...

Very nice shots! I had heard that mourning doves mate for life - which seems really sweet. We have a few of these around us. I find their call soothing - for a while... and then, sometimes not so much.

Conniecrafter said...

I hear them all the time here :) I love the ones where they are all puffed up :) Great pics!

Judy said...

Aren't they the most soft and gentle of birds?
I have many and love to listen to them.

italiafinlandia said...

It was so romantic to think that some animals match for life.
Beautiful shots!