Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Mourning Dove

 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Mourning Doves are sometimes known as Turtle Doves...and we all know (don't we?) about the second day of Christmas when "my true love gave to me two Turtle Doves and...."

Sitting on a mossy branch

It's hard to believe that  these birds who forage - seemingly lazily - under winter bird feeders can actually fly up to 88 kph (55 mph)!

Foraging for seeds

I guess they need to be fast as apparently Mourning Doves are the U.S.'s leading game bird. I have never eaten dove or squab (young doves). Have you?

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

38 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

No I have not eaten dove but these are a warm rich colouring.

Jane of Levant said...

How beautiful are they - so pretty - and very rare in the UK and a protected soecies over here - EG - wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year - Jane UK

Revrunner said...

I've long thought these lovely birds were misnamed. I don't know what they should be called, but definitely not "mourning" or "turtle" doves.

Penelope Notes said...

It is no wonder they are called “mourning” dove if they are so avidly hunted. I have to admit I assumed the birds were called “morning” doves … it has a cheerier sound.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Incredible shots I have always loved the gentleness and delicateness of this bird. Hug B

Shammickite said...

No, I haven't eaten any of these birds, but I know they are a favourite snack for the hawks that live near here.

Giga said...

Birds are adorable, I like it. I wish you a Merry Christmas!

The Cranky said...

I know people do eat them, but I haven't... nor do I intend to! Beautiful photos, I love mourning doves!

Birdman said...

There were 12 doves under our feeders last weekend. Never seen that many at one time before

Anvilcloud said...

Dovely work.

William Kendall said...

I haven't. I enjoy the sound they make.

The Furry Gnome said...

Incredible close pictures! Merry Christmas!

TexWisGirl said...

dove hunting is big business in texas. my father (in wisconsin) hunted/ate squab a few times that i remember.

Mary Hone said...

I love doves. The cooing sound they make is so sweet.

Bethany Carson said...

Beautiful shots of beautiful birds! No, I've never eaten them. They remind me of a vacation we had a few years ago in Texas. At the KOA we spent the night at a few times there were many doves that serenaded us with their cooing.

Darla said...

I think we have those here. I've never eaten one tho.

Darla

Linda W. said...

Love that first photo! You captured that dove in such detail.

Judy said...

We have a yard full of mourning doves and also turtle doves. I wouldn't think there would be enough meat on those little birds to make it worthwhile. I just love to hear them calling to one another. Your pictures of them are superb.

Lowell said...

More of your super avian portraits. I think you should do a book of East Gwillimbury birds!

Grandma C said...

Great shots! It's not easy capturing bird photos when they match their surroundings.

theconstantwalker said...

Lovely images... it's a beautiful bird.

Sylvia K said...

I agree with Lowell, superb avian portraits they are indeed -- as always!! Thank you for sharing the beauty! Wishing you and your family a beautiful, wonderful and very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Mersad said...

What a gorgeous light you captured in these shots.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Halcyon said...

I've never eaten dove and honestly I don't want to. Love your shots of this bird. The first one makes him/her look GIANT. :)

Ginny Hartzler said...

We have many of these doves in our yard. Yet I have never been able to get a clear shot of one close up. Your pictures are really beautiful! I did NOT know these are the actual Turtle Doves, that is so cool!! Wonder how they got that name?

RedPat said...

I wouldn't eat them! Poor things.

cieldequimper said...

They are pretty. So much better than my pigeons...

eileeninmd said...

They are sweet birds, wonderful photos..

Stephanie said...

I have never eaten one. Very pretty bird!

Ela said...

Wow ! Wonderful shots !
Merry Christmas !

cedarmerefarm said...

Fabulous photos, as usual. I didn't know these birds can fly that fast. No, I wouldn't eat them. They look really sweet. Merry Christmas

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

This reminds me that I should be seeing more doves about now...great pictures , thank-you for sharing,phyllis

Cloudia said...

Same bird. WAY better pictures. Way more comments. I gotta up my game!


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ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
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Connie Smiley said...

Beautiful shots!
Actually they are quite tasty--good on the BBQ.

Randy said...

I love Morning Doves.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Lovely pictures. I have not eaten dove an really have no desire to.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Gorgeous and so neat that you have this beauty there. We have lots and lots of them, such sweet birds. Merry Christmas

Susan Anderson said...

Before I started visiting here, I wasn't even that into birds. You have changed me in that regard!

=)

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.