Fascinating. They're rather pretty, in a quiet reserved way, I think. I really want us to get a birdfeeder soon, and maybe, given the paucity of big trees about, a bird house.
Bird feeders can be fun, especially with kids. You can even make your own feeders and have them help. One of the really simple ways to make feeders is to take pine cones, tie strings to them then smear them with peanut butter (preferably the natural, just peanuts kind) and roll them in bird seeds. Hang those and hopefully the birds will come.
I remember making birdfeeders that way as a child at my grandparents. I haven't seen any pinecones around here yet, I don't think there are many pines around.
I think a lot of people use the terms interchangably but "Rock Dove" is the more technical name for a pidgeon. The two birds in your picture are "Mourning Doves" also known as "Turtle Doves" (like in the Christmas song). They like seeds but don't visit feeders usually. They like to eat their seeds directly from the ground or a flat, bare surface. So, if you want to attract them you should put seeds on the ground. Or you could just put up a feeder and let them eat what falls from the feeder when other birds visit it ;-)
Two turtle doves, eh? I've pear trees in my front yard - wonder where I sign up for the partridges?
I'd go for the three french hens, too - eleanor had a link about hencoops for backyards - but I believe the CC&R's for this property forbid it, darn it.
They're not the same thing. "Rock doves" are pigeons of the sort that are commonly seen in cities pretty much around the world. They're often considered to be pests. Mourning Doves are one of the doves native to North America and are generally not a problem. If you want to feed them, they'll eat seed scattered on the ground or on a flat, open platform feeder.
According to the books I checked, they're different species -- mourning dove is what you photographed, and rock doves are the standard city pigeons you'll see everywhere if you go into a big city.
Guess teenagers are not very tuned in to birds - we've had morning doves here as long as I can remember. They nest next door, at Mr. West's house. Once I found one with a nest under the holly at the front of the house - the cat (Padget) could see it from our bedroom window!
OH yeah, I was so oblivious to such things as a teenager. If it was outdoors, I didn't notice it, because I'd just have an allergy reaction anyway. (Or you'd want me to help can it!) I did notice the squirrels...
I was just not the type to be in girl scouts and have nature badges. Maybe I'll make up for it now.
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Date: 2004-04-23 02:43 pm (UTC)I'd go for the three french hens, too -
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Date: 2004-04-23 01:40 pm (UTC)baby picture
Date: 2004-04-22 04:15 pm (UTC)morning doves
Date: 2004-04-23 06:40 am (UTC)Re: morning doves
Date: 2004-04-23 02:51 pm (UTC)I was just not the type to be in girl scouts and have nature badges. Maybe I'll make up for it now.