Mourning Doves are beautiful, gentle birds that often visit our backyard feeders. They usually perch on the utility wires or the back patio. Most times, they forage for dropped seeds on the ground below the feeders.
This couple was hanging out around the feeders today. They had been freshly filled with a mix that included safflower and sunflower seed, two of their favorite food groups.
The Mourning Dove is monogamous and forms strong pair bonds and often remain together. More information can be found at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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20 comments:
What a sweet couple. The silhouette image is quite nice, as are all the images.
Until late in life, I thought they were called Morning Doves. So did my mother until I revealed the truth to her in her eighties.
Hi Beatrice...Love the last photo..so cute.
They are so lovely when the sun shines on there iridescent feathers.
Good post!!
The dove is such a beautiful bird, I love to hear them early in the morning.
Nice Collage and I love the silhouette shot.
Great captures of the beautiful birds.
Costas
Lovely photos. I like to listen to them cooing back and forth.
they are so precious, i love doves and the sound is so peaceful. ours have been cooing like crazy the past week, i like to sit in the swing and listen to them talk
I love them too. We have 9 who come to our feeders every morning and late afternoon. When I woke up this morning, there were 4 right on the picnic table on our deck next to our window eating sunflower seeds.
I like to call at them and get a return.
Hi Folks, these peaceful birds seem popular with most of you. I learned that they are among the most widespread of all North American birds and the leading gamebird, with nearly 70 million birds shot in the U.S.annually for sport and for meat. Glad there are no hunters in our neighborhood.
This was a sweet couple, Lois, and they flew off together after eating. AC, I used to get the name wrong as well. Thanks Grammie and Christine (Mama-Bug)and Daisy they are beautiful birds and welcome anytime at out feeders. Thanks Mona and Costas for the compliments! Sandra and Steve, I enjoy hearing their sounds and admit to having tried to mimic them as well. You have a few more than we do, Retired One.
At first I thought the photo at the feeder had caught them laying down! :) We had a dove mama who made her nest atop a wreath outside our front door for 4 years, the 5th year no return of mama dove. It was neat to watch her nest and the babies that hatched, we could peek through the curtains in the front bedroom. We have many doves around here but not over winter. Nice photos.
Mourning Doves are one of my favorite birds. I love to hear them cooing early in the morning. It's a sweet little alarm clock.
Super pictures! I, too, love doves and their wistful call.
These are such beautiful photos, I especially like the silhouette.
Beautiful photographs of a beautiful dove!
We have a similar looking dove here called Collared dove (we call it turkish dove), unfortunately not around my cottage though. I love the sound of that dove and every year I hope for it to move to my village :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.
Thanks PAT (in MN) and I bet you are still dealing with winter. We thought we were into spring when the temp reached 70 degrees last week. Today is bearly reached 40 so no bird watching on the back porch for a couple of days.
DENISE, the ones at our feeders seem to prefer late afternoons which is OK with us cause it's warmer to sit outside and watch the activity.
DESIREE, seems their calls are enjoyable to so many folks. Thanks.
SNAPPER II and CHRISTER, thanks for the comments and visit today. Maybe one day you can post a photo of the Collared Dove, Christer.
Beautiful photos! I imagine while they were hogging the feeder no other birds were able to partake.
I Love them and the gentle sounds they make..we won't see them until late May..so you are lucky! :)
Yes, Elaine, the doves DO hog the feeder especially when a pair get in together. But they are such gentle birds that I don't shoo them off like I do for the MOST unwelcome grackles, starlings and blackbirds.
Hi Connie (Far Side) the doves seem to stay around the VA eastern shore year-round.
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