Love is in the Air
Mourning Doves – Courtship Display (2010)
By: Pat Coate
I have been enjoying watching a pair of Mourning Doves that have been regulars at my feeder this spring. Earlier in the spring, two, sometimes three, would seem to chase each other through the neighbors’ trees. But now a pair comes together to the feeder and on several occasions they’ve perched next to each other and exchanged ever-so-romantic head bobs. One, presumably the male, had been seen gathering nesting material.
Mourning Dove (2009)
I hadn’t realized that mourning doves were game birds – according to Cornell’s ‘All About Birds’ website more than 20 million are harvested each year.
Female Cardinal (2010)
A pair of cardinals have been regulars too. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve seen the male feeding the female (mate-feeding courtship behavior).
Male Cardinal (2010)
They are a beautiful pair. The male often greets us in the morning perched high out back in the black cherry tree singing his heart out.
Male Cardinal (2008)
I wonder if he could be the same sad looking fellow we had at the feeder in the fall with two young ones in tow. I guess parenting is tough on us all.
    Subscribe |
All Rights Reserved ©2006-2010 |
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
An absolutely beautiful capture!
23 April 2010 at 10:58 am
Great photos. Mourning doves don’t make very sturdy nests.
24 April 2010 at 1:07 am
Great image! Doves truly are the picture of love.
26 April 2010 at 2:10 pm