My affair with birdwatching thrives right here in ATS One Hamlet. The second of my beloved winged creatures here is the Laughing Dove. While it is considered to belong to the same family as a pigeon, their contrast couldn’t be starker.
(Did You Know – The pigeons found in urban areas are called Common Feral Pigeons. Feral – yes! Suits them I guess!)
The biggest difference between the Laughing Dove and the pigeon is the size. The former are smaller, more delicate and more graceful. The former is brownish – pink in colour while the latter is grey. And, my personal difference is that the Laughing Doves in AOH don’t make their way to my 25th floor balconies (while the pigeons do and proceed to dirty them)!
Instead, the Laughing Doves can be found on our pathways, calmly walking. They are comparatively terrestrial, foraging on the ground. They are pretty fearless and fly away (or run away) only if you come quite close.
In fact, the Laughing Doves are so zen – like that they don’t get perturbed even when my dog steps close to them! And this also makes it easy for me to click them frequently and at a close range.
The Laughing Dove closely resembles the Spotted Dove; I’m unsure there are a few Spotted Doves too in ATS One Hamlet. They can be distinguished by their black and white checkered necklace.
I love seeing the Laughing Doves. How their lilac – tinged heads and necks contrast their brownish – pink bodies! They make for a beautiful sight not to forget the grace with which they move. I have also been fortunate to hear their call – a rising and falling chuckle – which is also how they get their name!
Here’s to seeing more Laughing Doves in AOH and following their graceful movements!
