Mourning dove

This week's bird is one of the more interesting around here but I've held back posting about it because I wanted to record and post its call - which I haven't managed to do.  So I'll post about it anyway, on the principle that as soon as I do a perfect opportunity to record it's mournful song will arise, and then I can post about it another time.

This is a mourning dove.  It's actually quite a sweet and happy bird, but the male's call is a series of slow notes that really does sound sad.  It's very distinctive, too, so you often hear it in the cooler parts of the day even if you don't see the bird responsible.

Occasionally one or two will visit the deck, close enough for a photo.  It's pretty clear that their courtship involves a lot of standing around together like a Victorian couple, but I don't have a good shot of two together.

As far as colour goes they are a very subtle golden colour with dark spots.  A lot like a pigeon, but a little smaller and a lot better behaved.

Right, now I just need to go and record that call - should be a piece of cake now...