DOVES

This site would not be complete without mention of our doves. 
What delightful characters!  "Our" doves are cream ring necks called Barbary Doves. There are a few small pockets of them in New Zealand and we are fortunate enough to be living in one of those pockets.

We've set up hanging dishes on the outer edge of our deck, where they come to feed morning and night (and at any time in between).

Doves feeding on the hanging dishes on the outer side of our deck.

Look at what I can do!

Cute trio

Sweetie pie

Doves in the mist.

Rain stance

View from the top

Here are some facts from the NZ Conservation Trust -

Barbary Dove                  

Streptopelia roseogrisea 
INTRODUCED; UNCOMMON; RESIDENT

DISTRIBUTION:
Flocks have established near Whangarei, South Auckland, Rotorua, Whakatane, and near Havelock North.

HABITAT:
Usually seen singularly or in pairs in parks, gardens, orchards and farmlands.

BREEDING:
Nesting occurs predominantly in spring and summer. Two white eggs are laid on a platform of twigs. Young chicks are fed crop milk when young.

FOOD:
In town they feed on food scraps, spilt grain and weed seeds. On farmland they feed on recently sown or stubble grain, and pasture and weed seeds.

CALL:
Soft ‘coo-ing’ and a distinctive ‘laughing chuckle’.

GENERAL:
The barbary doves brought to New Zealand probably originated from Europe as caged birds although the natural range of the species is northern Africa and Arabia.