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Peaceful Dove

(Geopelia placida [striata])
Alternative names: "Ground-dove", "Doo-doo"
Size: 20-24 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Peaceful Doves are found basically in the entire eastern half of the Australian continent, plus a wide coastal strip along the north-west, down to about the Geraldton area. They are not found in the south-eastern two-thirds of WA, the south-western quadrant of the NT and the western half of SA.

Peaceful Doves can be found in and around forests and in open forest, usually near water.

Sightings

Peaceful Doves were frequent visitors on the yard and lawn around the place where we lived until 2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. They are relatively small and well-camouflaged, which can make them hard to see in areas where grass has dried (e.g. in the farmyard). They come as pairs or in flocks of up to about a dozen.

Also spotted at Sawn Rocks, about 30 km north-east of Narrabri, in March 2007 and in various other parts of the foothills of the Nandewar Range, including e.g. Deriah Forest, some 30 km east of Narrabri.

Photos

Frontal view of Peaceful Dove resting on a low tree branch

Close-up frontal view of Peaceful Dove

The same bird as shwon above, seen sideways

Here a lateral view of a bird in a cypress pine

View from behind of a Peaceful Dove

Here a bird foraging on our lawn

Frontal view of a pair of Peaceful Doves; the male is seen on the left, the female on the right

Peaceful Dove resting in a tree

Peaceful Dove coming in for a drink from a puddle

Lateral view of a Peaceful Dove

Fledgling Peaceful Doves seen in January 2008 20 km east of Narrabri, NSW

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Dispersive Elementary unit: Pair/small flock

Being seedeaters, Peaceful Doves are often found foraging on the ground in groups. Astonishingly, they sometimes also rest on the ground, in open, exposed areas.

Below a pair seen taking a sunbath, one lifting a wing at the same time, reminiscent of the way chickens use their wings to cool their bodies by means of evaporating moisture under their wings. However, the birds in the photo below were seen on a relatively cool (27-28 C) day.

Peaceful Doves taking a sunbath, one lifting a wing exposing the underside to sunlight

Food

All pigeons and doves are strictly vegetarian. Peaceful Doves are seed-eaters.