Mourning Dove

Comment

Comment by Maryanne Mesple on June 22, 2011 at 11:59am

We have many many many turtle/mourning/rain doves here! They love our property and are beautiful to watch. Again, thanks for the sharing of information :-)

Comment by wiffledust on June 21, 2011 at 6:27pm

turtle dove! that's a far better name...sounds sweet!!!

Comment by Kristin on June 21, 2011 at 6:16pm

According to Wikipedia, it is also called the Turtle Dove ( although I fail to see how it looks like a turtle ) and Rain Dove ( again, not sure how they came up with that ).  One pair can raise up to 6 broods in a year!  Go mama!  Its woo-OO-oo-oo-oo call gives the bird its name ( I know, you are all trying to do it now ).  The wings can make an unusual whistling sound upon take-off and landing, and the bird is a strong flier - capable of speeds up to 55 mph - Who knew-OO-oo-oo-oo :-)

Comment by Ilene Nancy Cooper on June 21, 2011 at 1:54pm

Lisa,how can I have had wrong information.I believe it is their sad oo-ooing sound that names them.

Comment by Helen on June 21, 2011 at 1:44pm

Nice capture and use of selective focus!

Comment by Maryanne Mesple on June 21, 2011 at 11:53am

Wow. learn something new all the time! I did not know these doves were called "mourning" doves! All these years I thought their name was Morning Doves! :-) That is why I asked that silly question. I was wondering why a Morning Dove was "mourning" ... well duh on me!  thank you for the enlightenment

Comment by Ilene Nancy Cooper on June 21, 2011 at 9:57am

There's something about a mourning dove...gentle looking with a sweet song. For several years "our" doves nested above our heads on grape vines.This photo makes me nostalgic. It is lovely.

Comment by wiffledust on June 21, 2011 at 8:20am

ok, the mourning issue was driving me nuts, so i looked it up, and apparently they are called this because of their color?

Comment by Kristin on June 21, 2011 at 7:59am

No, it was close by :-)

Comment by Maryanne Mesple on June 21, 2011 at 1:10am

did the dove lose its partner and so is in mourning?