My Encounter with the Doves & Pigeons

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There are several Doves who live around in our backyards. During the time of house construction visit to this place, I could hear a bird call with a peculiar laugh mostly with a boasting attitude one of the tall trees. The call was louder and harsher than the rock pigeon. A few months later I came to know they were Laughing Doves. 




A Pair of Laughing Doves

     


In the initial stages, I was unable to identify a laughing dove apart from the Spotted Dove who also dwells in the woods. After studying the birds’ books and google searches, I was able to clarify my doubts regarding them. Spotted doves too are visitors to our garden, but less seen and more heard. They are a bit bigger in size than Laughing Dove with spots on their back and the call is completely different from LD.
Spotted Dove perched on the wire



 


     

Unluckily, Laughing Doves are mostly bullied by birds little larger than its size like Parrots, Common Mynas and Eurasian collared Doves during the feeding sessions. Hence, we have to lay more feeding trays to avoid these squabbles between these species. Like the Spotted Dove, Eurasian Collared-Doves are more heard than seen. They too dwell in the open woods and rarely come out to feed in our backyard. 

A pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves



Once I happen to see two of ECD feeding in the garden and were constantly bullying the smaller doves as they neared the tray. That is when I took pity on the smaller doves and decided to lay another feeding tray.

 



Laughing Doves look mild and innocent as they constantly perch on the construction rods and wires which go around the garden. Once I caught sight of two of these doves perched on wires. They were calm for a while. Suddenly, one of them, for no reason, began to charge the other calling harshly and swaying its head angrily. The other one backed away a little. In a few seconds, both were squabbling in the air with their wings clashing rapidly causing a racket. I was slightly worried they might hurt each other. Both appeared to be fine after the squabble ended.

 In another incident, at the bushy area between our backyard and woods. I happen to see a laughing Dove charge at a Southern Coucal. The Southern Coucal being a larger bird was slightly terrified and moved away from this area. Perhaps the SC was trying to target its nestling or eggs and the duty of the loving mother dove is to drive the predator away from its nest.

           






Rock Pigeon -At one time, we had 2-4 rock pigeons visit our premises. They were curious to settle on our terrace. But unfortunately, they just stayed for 2-3 days and left the place forever. Perhaps they could not adapt themselves to the wildlife as they used to live in tall buildings in cities.


Meenakshi Thopse is a Blogger/writer, working presently in the field of Digital marketing. She started the "Best Courses In Digital World" FB page & Blog to promote Data Science & Digital Marketing online courses to budding job seekers to build the required skills for their careers. Also, she launched Sri Raksha Online shopping Blog to Guide people to buy appropriate products (Daily Essentials) She had worked as an Accountant and as a Manager for more than 10 years.

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