Laughing Dove

Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766)

2020-04-28 Bishkek	© Nurzhan Alymkanova

Biology

Numerous in places rare resident. Inhabits the villages and towns, prefers the localities of single-storey buildings. Breeds by separate pairs not far one from another. Nest is built from thin twigs in buildings mostly, and rare on trees, bushes. Clutch of 2 eggs is laid from end of February – March until October. Both parents incubate clutch and feed juveniles. Female begins to lay the eggs of next clutch for 1-3 days before the fledging of juveniles who later fed by male, but sometimes juveniles return to roost with female in new nest. Rears two, three or more brood per season. In late summer and in autumn birds join in small flocks and gather near grain elevators, mills and other food-rich places. Very rare occurs outside the villages and towns. Winter is a critical period for Laughing Dove who can’t survive feeding only natural foods without human support.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.