Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Mourning Dove by Val Lee

While I was observing this photo I shot at a wildlife refuge area, about 45 minutes from where we live, I thought on the fold-up compactness Jesus Christ graphed in birds. They may have a wide wingspan, but no matter the width, the various sizes of feathers collapse together like the perfect fan when an avis lands. It is a pleasant thing to view these creatures folding their wings to themselves. They own the most practical outfit that is always modest and stylish.

I have to confess I have lived in southern Idaho for many years, but not until about six months ago or so, did I learn of the wild refuge area that is part of a nearby lake—Lake Lowell. This refuge was established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1909 and is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, which now includes 540. It is bubbling with beautiful birds amidst watery scenery.

This refuge has a blind or hide (a camouflaged shelter for birdwatching). It was from here that I shot this photo; in a secluded aesthetic area full of dead and live tress, where the lake spills into this recess.

Video I shot:

Mourning Doves thrive in southern Canada, the United States, and southward to Panama. They are spotted year-round throughout most of their range. Northern populations will migrate south for winter’s chill.

They enjoy a wide variety of habitats—open woodlands, forest edges, grasslands and fields. They are most abundant in agricultural and suburban areas.

Mourning Doves are medium-sized birds of the Pigeon family. The  photo to the right  is of Rock Pigeons, which I shot when at the Blarney Castle in Ireland.

Mourning Doves were formerly known as Carolina Turtledoves. Their size, weight, and coloration vary within the species. They have a streamlined appearance, with a relatively small head and a long, pointed tail. Their backs are grayish blue to grayish brown, exhibiting black spots on their wings and behind their eyes. Their tails are set-off with white tips. The wings can produce an unusual whistling sound upon take-off and landing. This winger is a strong flier, capable of speeds up to 55 mph. My, oh my!

They comprise a small, black bill and red legs and feet. Males are larger than females and are slightly brighter in color, and display a bluish crown and a rosy breast.

Its plaintive woo-oo-oo-oo call gives the bird its name. To me they sound like hooting owls and I have at times been deceived as to the type of bird I am hearing.

Tower of London by Val Lee

The British Crown Jewels are displayed at the Tower of London. When there, I took note of the imaged Doves seated on the ends of a couple of the scepters. I addressed this in relationship to the Biblical record of Esther in my book Queen Esther/ Looming Holocaust:

These sweet beauties represent peace and submission. They are symbolic of the Holy Spirit according to Christian and secular recordings.

These graceful winged ones were the only birds that could be offered in sacrifice according to Mosaic Law—two were offered at Christ’s birth. The Holy Spirit appeared as a Dove, descending and resting on God the Son at His baptism, revealing the Father’s pleasure and love. Doves secure a profile of Christ at His crucifixion, as He was beaten beyond recognition, yet never retaliated.

These birds also depict never departing faithfulness and adherence—Doves affectionately mate for life. Christ, out of His devoted love, will never leave nor forsake believers.

There are two prophetic passages in the Old Testament which refer to the mourning of Doves in relationship to unrepentant wrongdoings—Isaiah 59:11 and Nahum 2:7. These prophecies involved suffering for sinfulness—the people would mourn like Doves due to their wicked acts that bore no shame.

Christians are called to be gentle like Doves; Matthew 10:16. These tender creatures own a kind and even temperament; whereby, they do not bite and are easily tamed.

Doves are also classified as a romantic bird as seen in Song of Solomon; 5:12. Solomon describes his bride, as owning the beautiful eyes of a Dove. When I gaze upon the eyes of a Dove, I see love, patience and kindness. What more could a groom ask for in a mate for life?

Mourning Doves do mate for life, being monogamous. Male Doves are romantic. Perhaps not as romantic as Solomon.

A male Dove will perform a number of displays, along with a courtship “coo.” The lovesick female will land near her suitor on his stage limb of romantic antics, inciting the male to begin an elaborate series of courtship maneuvers. If the commitment bond is formed, the couple will remain together for a few days (the honeymoon period) before constructing a nest. The nest formation takes over ten hours and covers a span of three to four days. The male will collect thistles and twigs that he passes to the female so she can construct it perfectly to her whim. Now this is cooperative teamwork.

She will generally lay two small, white eggs in an open nest. A couple can produce as many as six broods per season—very unusual as most birds produce 1 to 3. The male Dove will leave the nest in the morning to gather food, while the female stays behind to care for their young. In the Bible, Christian women are commanded to be workers in the home. A married woman is to love her husband and children, serving as a helpmeet as Christ served on the earth. Husbands are to be the providers.

Both the male and female Mourning Doves share in incubating and feeding of the squabs (chicks). Brooding lasts 14 to 15 days. Adult Mourning Doves eat almost exclusively seeds, but the squabs are fed crop milk— this is a semi-solid substance somewhat like pale yellow cottage cheese. It is extremely high in protein and fat. Both Dove parents produce crop milk to share in the feeding as designed by their perfect Creator.

As the chicks mature, the parents begin to add more seeds to the regurgitated food until they are fed only seeds by the time the young leave the nest. The squabs remain nearby until they become accomplished flyers—about 30 days old.

At times, the young of a couple are snatched by a hawk or cat and they mourn grievously. God created many animals to feel sorrow that produces mourning for loved ones who die. It appears from Scripture that Doves own an exceptional tender heart that grieves more. Christians are commanded to mourn with those who weep, being a loving comfort; Romans 12:15.

*Some information gathered from various websites

Letter to the Bird Enthusiast!

See also:
More at Val’s Looking Glass
Our Doves and Pigeons Page