(Streptopelia senagalensis)

Length:  25-27 cm Common

The Laughing Dove was first released in Australia at the Perth Zoological Gardens in 1898. The species has lived in cities, towns and villages of its native Africa for many centuries. It has spread more into the Australian bush than the Spotted Dove which is another introduced bird. The voice is a laughing sequence like, “did you see a cuckoo” with the accent on “cuckoo”.

All doves are ground feeders and grain eaters. The Laughing Dove roosts and nests in trees and bushes. It breeds throughout the year but mostly from September to March. The nest is a frail platform of twigs and sticks. Eggs: 2; white.

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