Mourning Colors

Remember this photo? This is a mourning dove resting on a branch outside my window.
I love his pose. That's what mourning doves do. They flop on a branch and leisurely look around. They take their time and just chill.

Sometimes I need to just chill. I know so many other people that also would benefit from just chilling. LOL.

Here is my interpretation of Mr. Mourning Dove chillin' on his branch, happy as a bird on a branch could be, in all his colors!

This watercolor is 9x12. I let loose once again and assigned colors that aren't realistic.

He likes it that way.

So do I!

White Tail

Hey, what's with this mourning dove's tail?


Do you see the one on the left has a normal tail and the one on the right has a short stubby white tipped tail? Here is a close up of his tail.....


Maybe this dove was injured by a hawk and is regrowing his tail feathers? Or is this a molting thing going on here?
I invite any smart birders out there to please comment with their knowledge!!!
Thanks!

Good Morning Mourning Dove

I took this photo through my window with my scope, in the morning.
He is looking over his shoulder as if to say, "Are you looking at me? You wanna piece of me?"

No, Mr. Mourning Dove! I just like to watch you, maybe draw you....but definitely not a piece of you!
In fact, the mourning dove is one of my favorite birds. You might want to say, "Chi Nature Lady, why is this boring bird one of your favorites?"
Well......

* Mourning doves mate for life. When one dies, the other is in mourning.
* They are very gentle to each other beneath my feeder, they take turns and don't fight.
* They make a whistling sound though their wings when disturbed.
* Their call sounds like an owl's.... "whoo-oo-oo-oo"
* The male brings the female twigs. As he stands on her back, she makes the nest.

Gentle mourning dove...peaceful and talented!

Gentle Mourning Dove

Have you ever heard the gentle "cooooing" of a mourning dove? I love that sound. "Cooooo, coooo, coooohhhh. It's a very soft and delicate sound. This one I found resting on a bench. I have pairs of them around my house. In Chicago and much of North America they're year round dwellers, finding a mate and keeping him/her for life. Another example of animals "getting it right". Anyway, I know from watching the morning doves by my house that they're ground feeders, meaning they rather eat the seeds from the ground than at the feeder. I've also noticed that they'll back away when there is a crowd competing for seed, even if the crowd consists of sparrows less than half their size! Don't let those guys bully you around!