A pair of fledgling Mourning Doves have taken up residence in our backyard!
A week ago we found them huddled together, tip toeing around the courtyard together, pecking the ground together, preening and flapping their wings together. At first, these two were practically inseperable. And they are so darn cute and interesting to watch.
I'm constantly looking out the windows searching for them. They take flight to the iron table and chairs. The horse skull is a favorite perch, a "stepping stone" to the fence.
Their nest was built on the eaves of the house next door. You can see it in one of the pictures I've shared.
Mama Dove comes around to check on them. She's the one peering down from the tree.
I see them nap under the shade of the deck to avoid the hot sun in the middle of the day.
One evening Chad played a soft melody on his guitar. We watched one of the doves, perched on the fence above him, doze off.
Yesterday, the doves discovered the Crab Apple tree on the north side of our house where they have plenty of bugs and seeds on the ground to peck, nice branches to cling to and rest, dewy leaves from all the rain we've been getting and a fence for privacy.
Oh, our doves are delightful!
I never thought too much about this common bird before. I mean, they have just always been here, you know? They're everywhere. I can't imagine my mornings without hearing the sound of their cooing lament. For me, sometimes it's sad, or it can be uplifting. Mostly it's comforting. It depends on what kind of mood your're in, I suppose.
*Did you know it is only the males who coo?
*Doves make a pretty whistling sound with their wings when they take flight, to warn others of danger. I always thought it was vocal!
*That their wingspan is 17 inches.
* It is the most hunted game bird in North America. More than 20 million Mourning Doves are shot each year.
*They also face death from lead poisoning. Mourning Doves forage on the ground, and in heavily hunted areas they may wind up eating fallen lead shot (records show some doves have eaten up to 43 pellets). 1 in 20 doves wind up eating lead.
*The oldest known Mourning Dove was a male, and at least 30 years old when he was shot in Florida in 1998. He had been banded in Georgia in 1968.
To listen to their song and whistling wings go here Dove/sounds
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Thanks to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Exploring and Conserving Nature
They're precious! I could see right away that they were fledglings, what a great little pair. We've always had at least one nesting pair in our neighborhood, too, and feel the same way about their cooing. Last year there were at least two families and I was finding their feathers all over the place. You're so lucky to have them making your patio their grounds for testing independent waters, they must know they're safe with you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying that, Clare. I really do think they felt our yard was their refuge. They were awfully sweet to have around for awhile.
DeleteYou could tell they were very young! They are so fluffy as fledglings. :)
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It is fun to watch young birds fledge and hang out. Our yard is bird heaven I guess. We had Mourning Dove, Cactus Wren, Mockingbird and Ladderback Woodpeckers nests this year. I felt bad for the woodpeckers as we had to cut down their nest as it was in a rotting limb of a tree that cracked and was in danger of coming down on our fence. I hated to take that branch down, but we did wait till the babes were out and about. I love my birds. They bring so much joy. So glad you get to enjoy these babes! I talk to my birds, hoping they come to recognize me:-)
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I talked to the doves, too! And sing.
DeleteLove that you can identify all the birds and flowers that surround you there in your desert oasis!
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You have doves, I have orioles. Both fascinating and uplifting.
ReplyDeleteThat's it. And calls of a different tune. :)
DeleteThey look quite happy in your yard. What a sanctuary for them!
ReplyDeleteWe have a few that walk along the wall surrounding our yard. (I think they're just taunting Lucky.) Such beautiful birds.
I never could understand why people hunt them. It's so sad.
Your wall is popular with all the birds!
DeleteYeah, I don't ever want to eat a Dove. ;)
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What a delight to have these dove companions! I love all the pictures! My Cpt.& Mrs. Sparrow had their third set of babies in the special bird house on the back porch. I love their presence and know how you feel about your special birds. I wonder if our Francises have something to do with this? ;)
ReplyDeleteHeehee... the doves did hang around right by ol' Frankie as he held his cupped hands out for them to land!
DeleteThey really were so special to have around. They've since flown the coop.
But, I can still hear them! ;)
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I think they're so pretty and I love hearing their calls. Now I know it is only the male who calls! We have a pair that nests around here, too.
ReplyDeleteI've been taking doves for granted!
DeleteGlad you have a pair, too. :)
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such lovely dove photos ... they have built a nest in my pergola this summer where I can watch them from my kitchen window ♥ I did not know it was just the male that coed :-D
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