Over the last few days, a small flock of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) have been visiting my backyard feeders between winter storms.
These lovely birds -- also known as the American Mourning Dove and more colloquially as the turtle dove (yes, as in the popular Christmas song) were once known as the Carolina Pigeon. They come from the same family as doves, the Columbidae is one of the most abundant and widespread North American birds.
They're also notorious for being very greedy eaters....at least when it comes to my backyard feeders. They are usually tolerant of individual smaller songbirds like the Chickadees, Goldfinches, and Sparrows; however when they come around the Cardinals and larger birds will have to wait their turn while they pick through their favorite seeds.
The following are some of the Mourning Doves that have been visiting my backyard feeders between January 24th just before the winter ice storm, and January 28th a few days before the next batch of uncanny winter weather for my little corner of Dixie is due to take place.
These lovely birds -- also known as the American Mourning Dove and more colloquially as the turtle dove (yes, as in the popular Christmas song) were once known as the Carolina Pigeon. They come from the same family as doves, the Columbidae is one of the most abundant and widespread North American birds.
They're also notorious for being very greedy eaters....at least when it comes to my backyard feeders. They are usually tolerant of individual smaller songbirds like the Chickadees, Goldfinches, and Sparrows; however when they come around the Cardinals and larger birds will have to wait their turn while they pick through their favorite seeds.
The following are some of the Mourning Doves that have been visiting my backyard feeders between January 24th just before the winter ice storm, and January 28th a few days before the next batch of uncanny winter weather for my little corner of Dixie is due to take place.
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