Lovely Couple Photo by Val Lee
My husband flew me away to Maui, Hawaii for our 30th wedding anniversary. I shot this pic at our resort. If you would like to get a glimpse of our resort, I have a video on You Tube that I shot while descending in the glassed elevator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgcayGN95zc
This sweet little couple in the photo also believes in being united for life—Doves are monogamous. I cannot tell you how long they have been together, I just couldn’t weasel it out of them. Jesus Christ knows and it is interesting that He even manages the union of His winged ones.
I could tell these Doves were not ones who enjoyed separation. They stayed close to each other all the time I observed.
Zebra Doves by Val Lee
I believe the bird on the left was the male as he often would sit up, towering like a general. He seemed to be of the kindest sort, assisting his mate—cleaning and probing her feathers with his beak to make sure she was presentable at all times. Each would have been lonely if left alone, or so it appeared. They were always touching which seemed to produce a united security of devotion and care.
These Zebra Doves are partial to coconut palms for roosting. I do not know the genus of tree in the photo, but they seemed happy and content to be there. My presence didn’t seem to disturb them in the slightest bit.
I find it interesting to contemplate on the fact that over four thousands years ago, God appointed Noah to oversee the protection and preservation of Zebra Doves during the flooding of the entire earth. God made sure males and females of all flesh were preserved in the ark. Doves were classified as a clean animal as they could be sacrificed for sins or wrongdoing as seen in the Old Testament so seven of them were preserved; Genesis chapter 7. We also know it was a Dove that Noah commissioned as a land surveyor. When the waters abated the Dove kindly returned with an olive leaf in her beak to let Noah know land had appeared; Genesis chapter 8. Mary and Joseph offered Doves or Pigeons at Christ’s birth in the Jerusalem Temple; Luke 2:22-24. Christ was offered as the final, perfect sacrifice for sin. Moreover, His resurrection is a picture of victory over sin and the grave.
Zebras are one of the most abundant birds found in Hawaii and Thailand. Around one hundred different avian species were imported to the Hawaiian Islands including the Zebra Dove—being introduced in 1922 through a shipment from Australia.
Of course, there are many native birds as well. Scientists estimate that Hawaii has as many as 10,000 unique species of birds, plants and insects—located nowhere else in the world.
Hawaii was discovered by English explorer Captain James Cook in 1778. Cook was slain in battle with Hawaiians in 1779 at age 50.
Zebras are popular for caging; being cute, petite, and slender. Plus, they serenade with God-blessed pretty voices, being classified as great singers. They compete in bird cooing meets in Thailand and Indonesia: http://www.nokkhao.com/ekhaolek2.htm
You Tube Zebra singing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrktPZaIyVQ
Zebras are in the Dove family of Columbidae, native to South-east Asia; also closely related to the Peaceful Dove of Australia and New Guinea and the Barred Dove of eastern Indonesia. The native range of the Zebra extends from Southern Thailand, Tenasserim and Peninsular Malaysia to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Lombok. It may also be native in the Philippines.
It inhabits farmland and open country in lowland areas, commonly observed in parks and gardens. They own a long, narrow tail that displays white tips. Their underparts are pinkish with black bars on the sides of the neck, breast and belly. Their face is blue-grey with bare blue skin around the eyes. Juveniles are duller and paler than the adults. Adult Doves are 8.6 inches in length, exhibiting a wingspan of 9.8 inches.
This Dove feeds on small grass and weed seeds. It will also partakes of insects and other small invertebrates. A Zebra will scurry about with quick movement, not being of the lazy sort. God color coordinated them perfectly, camouflaging for their protection.
In its native range, breeding season extends from September to June. Seeking males perform a courtship display—bowing while raising and spreading the tail. The nest is a simple platform of leaves and grass blades. It is built in a bush or tree, yet at times, on the ground. One or two white eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents for 13 to 18 days.
Doves are uniquely created, being able to produce crop milk for their precious young. Glands in the crops (pouches in the esophagus in which food is held for nestlings) of both males and females enlarge and secrete a thick milky substance. Chicks can obtain the milk by poking their bills into a parent’s throat. Nestlings depart within two weeks and can fly well after three weeks.
You can read more regarding Doves at my post on Mourning Doves or Rain Dove
Lee also has insightful information that she has posted at various times.
See – Doves and Pigeons
*Information gathered from Wikipedia and other web sources.
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