Monday, April 11, 2011

Mourning Dove


Although not bright and colorful like many other avian species the Mourning Dove's soft earth tone colors gives it a special beauty all of its own.  The doves becomes quite vocal at this time of year when their soft cooing is heard frequently during the predawn hours, a beautiful sound to greet the day. 

I was listening to a radio talk show recently when a lady called in wondering how to discourage doves from visiting her bird feeders.  The host recommended keeping the scattered seed cleaned up under the feeders as the dove prefers ground feeding to perching on feeders.  He also recommended a type of feeder that excludes large birds but allows smaller birds to get to the feed.  As the caller's conversation came to an end she noted that dove can really become a problem. 

It made me pause to wonder.  Why is she feeding birds?  Feeding wildlife is a choice and if the choice made is to feed then we should be willing to accept the critters that we attract. 

6 comments:

Stephani Cochran said...

Beautiful photography here. So glad I found my way here. I love the cooing of a mourning dove. I've never seen one this close up. They do have a beauty all their own. ~ You've also led me to camera critters where I can share some photos from my photo blog and view others. Thanks!

Lois Evensen said...

Amen.

And, I happen to like those mourning doves and their beautiful cooing.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Doves are so gentle and beautiful.I can't imagine anyone not wanting them at their feeders.Oh well,it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round.

Montanagirl said...

I agree - but I feed birds as well, and I manage to attract squirrels in the process - not fond of the little devils, but so be it. My feeding of the birds attracts a lot Eurasian Collared Doves, but everything wants to eat, right?

Willard said...

Can't understand that one either, but that is the way some are.

Meggie said...

I, too, love the cooing of the mourning doves. They are such a peaceful bird. They can eat at my feeders anytime.