I took these photos through a chained link fence, but was able to crop away most of the "fuzz" from the fencing.
What fun to find this little pot of gold on a twenty-minute walk!
Showing posts with label Mourning Doves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mourning Doves. Show all posts
March 13, 2014
Doves at Lunch
Took a walk at lunchtime and had the joy of coming upon a dozen doves foraging along a brushy railroad embankment. Several lifted off and flew away with their trademark whirring sound, but a few stayed around for my viewing pleasure.
I took these photos through a chained link fence, but was able to crop away most of the "fuzz" from the fencing.
I took these photos through a chained link fence, but was able to crop away most of the "fuzz" from the fencing.
October 19, 2013
True Grit
Went down to the quarry at Crow Creek Park the other day.
Usually I stick to the higher trails, but this time I wanted to check out the small shoreline along the quarry's edge, to see what I could see. It wasn't quite 7:30 a.m. The sun had yet to clear the tree tops, and there was a ghostly fog lingering over the water. Who could resist?
All at once a mourning dove lighted on the ground in front of me,. She was just a few steps away, and I was thrilled by the opportunity to study her up close.
As she walked over the rocks near the water's edge, I saw that she was picking up bits of gravel.
Mourning doves will swallow pebbles like this to help grind their food. The small bits are stored in their gizzards. Doves eat their seeds whole and unshelled. These end up in their gizzard, which is a powerful muscle that helps break up the seeds so that their nutrients can be absorbed. The grit they swallow assists in this process by helping to grind up the food.
When the bits of stone become too small to be useful, the bird either regurgitate them, or passes them through their alimentary canal.
If you would like to know more about mourning doves, check out this other blog post I've written about them: http://foundonthetrail.blogspot.com/2012/07/bird-on-wire.html .
Usually I stick to the higher trails, but this time I wanted to check out the small shoreline along the quarry's edge, to see what I could see. It wasn't quite 7:30 a.m. The sun had yet to clear the tree tops, and there was a ghostly fog lingering over the water. Who could resist?
All at once a mourning dove lighted on the ground in front of me,. She was just a few steps away, and I was thrilled by the opportunity to study her up close.
As she walked over the rocks near the water's edge, I saw that she was picking up bits of gravel.
Mourning doves will swallow pebbles like this to help grind their food. The small bits are stored in their gizzards. Doves eat their seeds whole and unshelled. These end up in their gizzard, which is a powerful muscle that helps break up the seeds so that their nutrients can be absorbed. The grit they swallow assists in this process by helping to grind up the food.
When the bits of stone become too small to be useful, the bird either regurgitate them, or passes them through their alimentary canal.
If you would like to know more about mourning doves, check out this other blog post I've written about them: http://foundonthetrail.blogspot.com/2012/07/bird-on-wire.html .
July 30, 2012
Bird on a Wire
Here is a mourning dove, photographed in late winter - bill tucked, and feathers puffed for maximum insulation.
I love mourning doves. I love the soft cooing and comforting, pigeony sounds they make. I love their sweet, muted coloring, and the way they gather at the bottom of the drive to peck at the gravel and take dust baths. And I love the whirring, whistley sound they make when they take flight. They are long-time companions and always lift my spirits when I see or hear them. It's just so nice to know they are there.
They are named, of course, for their mournful call, which can sound like someone gently sobbing.
When researching mourning doves, I was surprised to learn two new things about them. One is that they are a game bird. I have never known anyone who shot them for sport, so this was news to me. The other is that their genus name comes from a princess!
Zenaide Laetitia Julie Boneparte was the niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France. She married a cousin of hers, named Charles Boneparte, who was also a nephew of the Emperor's. Charles was a serious ornithologist, and according to Wikipedia, he created the genus Zenaida in her honor. How's that for romantic?
 |
| Asleep |
I love mourning doves. I love the soft cooing and comforting, pigeony sounds they make. I love their sweet, muted coloring, and the way they gather at the bottom of the drive to peck at the gravel and take dust baths. And I love the whirring, whistley sound they make when they take flight. They are long-time companions and always lift my spirits when I see or hear them. It's just so nice to know they are there.
 |
| Awake |
They are named, of course, for their mournful call, which can sound like someone gently sobbing.
 |
| Fully alert and eyeing me as a possible threat. |
When researching mourning doves, I was surprised to learn two new things about them. One is that they are a game bird. I have never known anyone who shot them for sport, so this was news to me. The other is that their genus name comes from a princess!
Zenaide Laetitia Julie Boneparte was the niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France. She married a cousin of hers, named Charles Boneparte, who was also a nephew of the Emperor's. Charles was a serious ornithologist, and according to Wikipedia, he created the genus Zenaida in her honor. How's that for romantic?
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