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

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37 comments:

  1. Margaret Birding For PleasureDecember 23, 2014 at 4:47 AM

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

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  2. Jane of LevantDecember 23, 2014 at 5:11 AM

    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

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  3. RevrunnerDecember 23, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    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.

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  4. Penelope NotesDecember 23, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    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.

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  5. Buttons ThoughtsDecember 23, 2014 at 7:24 AM

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

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  6. ShammickiteDecember 23, 2014 at 7:25 AM

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

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  7. GigaDecember 23, 2014 at 7:25 AM

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

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  8. The CrankyDecember 23, 2014 at 7:48 AM

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

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  9. BirdmanDecember 23, 2014 at 8:06 AM

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

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  10. AnvilcloudDecember 23, 2014 at 8:23 AM

    Dovely work.

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  11. William KendallDecember 23, 2014 at 8:56 AM

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

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  12. The Furry GnomeDecember 23, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    Incredible close pictures! Merry Christmas!

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  13. TexWisGirlDecember 23, 2014 at 9:43 AM

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

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  14. Mary HoneDecember 23, 2014 at 9:44 AM

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

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  15. Bethany CarsonDecember 23, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    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.

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  16. DarlaDecember 23, 2014 at 10:13 AM

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

    Darla

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  17. Linda W.December 23, 2014 at 10:44 AM

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

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  18. JudyDecember 23, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    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.

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  19. LowellDecember 23, 2014 at 11:50 AM

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

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  20. theconstantwalkerDecember 23, 2014 at 12:11 PM

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

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  21. Sylvia KDecember 23, 2014 at 12:12 PM

    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!!

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  22. MersadDecember 23, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    What a gorgeous light you captured in these shots.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  23. HalcyonDecember 23, 2014 at 2:32 PM

    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. :)

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  24. Ginny HartzlerDecember 23, 2014 at 3:18 PM

    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?

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  25. RedPatDecember 23, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    I wouldn't eat them! Poor things.

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  26. cieldequimperDecember 23, 2014 at 4:47 PM

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

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  27. eileeninmdDecember 23, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    They are sweet birds, wonderful photos..

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  28. StephanieDecember 23, 2014 at 5:36 PM

    I have never eaten one. Very pretty bird!

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  29. ElaDecember 23, 2014 at 5:45 PM

    Wow ! Wonderful shots !
    Merry Christmas !

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  30. cedarmerefarmDecember 23, 2014 at 6:46 PM

    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

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  31. tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.comDecember 23, 2014 at 7:01 PM

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

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  32. CloudiaDecember 23, 2014 at 9:04 PM

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


    You are an inspiration




    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    <3

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  33. Connie SmileyDecember 23, 2014 at 9:08 PM

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

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  34. RandyDecember 23, 2014 at 9:25 PM

    I love Morning Doves.

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  35. Ruth HiebertDecember 23, 2014 at 9:26 PM

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

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  36. Mary Howell CromerDecember 24, 2014 at 4:52 AM

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

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  37. Susan AndersonDecember 24, 2014 at 11:37 AM

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

    =)

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