A not so Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

We love hearing and seeing Peaceful Doves in our garden here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. For many years this only happened occasionally, every month or so and only for a brief visit. That has changed in the last month and we see and hear them daily.

Although they are widespread throughout much of the agricultural lands of our state they are not present in large numbers anywhere. When two decided to take up residence in our garden and its adjacent patch of mallee scrub we were delighted. They often called several times a day and sometimes even came close to where we often have a cuppa or a meal on our back veranda. Several weeks ago my wife noticed these two birds mating, so I assumed that they would be soon making a nest in our scrub.

So far I have been unable to locate a nest, and knowing how skimpy the nests of pigeons and doves can be I am not surprised. On one occasion some years ago I stood underneath the nest of a Bronzewing Pigeon and counted how many eggs were in it. Just a few thin sticks thrown together almost randomly seems to be adequate for this group of birds. How the eggs stay in the nest is beyond me – and how the young stay in the nest without destroying their home is amazing.

The Peaceful Dove pair in our garden are hanging around so I am assuming they have made a nest and are sitting on eggs. One of the birds stays quite close to the house and continually calls throughout the day. Now – I love hearing the soft call of this species – don’t get me wrong. But when it goes on calling hour after hour throughout the day it gets a bit much. It is then that this beautiful little dove becomes far from peaceful.

Peaceful Dove posing in the sun

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

One of my favourite Australian birds has to be the Peaceful Dove, shown in today’s photos. I meant to show these shots a few weeks ago when I took then, but somehow life got in the way. The photos shown today are of a solitary bird in our garden one morning. It looked like it was going to visit the nearby bird bath. Instead, it found a sunny spot to settle down for at least ten minutes – enough time for me to go to the other end of the house to collect my camera.

The Peaceful Dove is one of my favourite birds because they are quiet, gentle looking birds which come regularly into our garden. We frequently hear them calling their soft ‘toodle-doo” call, and they make no fuss at all as they flutter from tree to tree. The markings on their plumage shows delightful patterns and soft, pastel colours. Today’s photos show the colours well, lit up by the early morning sunshine.

As an extra comment on this species, I didn’t fully appreciate the beautiful blue skin around the eyes and beak. This shows up really well in today’s shots.

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

Pigeons and doves

Crested pigeon

Crested pigeon

I went for a walk of The Estate this afternoon.

When I say “The Estate”, please understand that we only own a 5 acre (2 hectare) block.

As I passed along the neighbour’s fence, I glanced over into the area in front of their house. On the grass I saw six birds feeding on the grass: 2 Crested pigeons, 2 Spotted Turtledoves and 2 Peaceful doves, all within about 2 or 3 metres of each other.

This is the first time I’ve seen all 3 species feeding in such close proximity to each other.

Note: I didn’t have my camera with me, so the photos shown today were taken on another occasion.

Spotted Turtledove

Spotted Turtledove

 

Peaceful Dove

Peaceful Dove

A Peaceful Dove a little out of range

One of our television channels here in South Australia is currently showing reruns of Star Trek Voyager series 2. I have been enjoying  seeing this series over again, some of which I had previously missed. The episode I watched this evening (Innocence) featured Tuvok who had crashed-landed a shuttle on a well vegetated moon.

Part way through the episode I turned up the volume. Sure enough, there was the unmistakable call of a Peaceful Dove on the soundtrack. LOL.

The Peaceful Dove is a widespread species in Australia. I had no idea that it colonised a moon in another galaxy.

Peaceful Dove, Cleland Wildlife Park

A wonderful welcome home

Peaceful Dove, Cleland Wildlife Park

We’ve been away visiting family in Sydney for the last few weeks. It was lovely to play with my 2.5 year old grandson. Over the coming few weeks I’ll be writing more about the birds I saw there and on the drive over and back. We covered 2910km by car over 5 days, so I’ve lots to share. Stay tuned.

On the morning after arriving home I took out a basket of washing to hang on the clothes line. Quite close to our back veranda I disturbed a Peaceful Dove feeding on the ground. This was the closest to the house I’ve observed this species. It was a wonderful – and peaceful – welcome home. The bird flew off a short distance and landed in a nearby tree. It sat there for a few moments, giving its soft peaceful “doodle-doo” call. Love that.

While this species is widespread in our district we don’t always have it present in our garden. At best it is an occasional visitor. Pity about that; I’d love to have it here all the time.

Good birding.