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Spotted Dove sunbathing

on 9th May 2008

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Lately, a pair of Spotted Doves (Streptopelia chinensis) have adopted my garden, visiting a few times a day to forage and to sunbathe. Initially, I managed to see only one large bird lazing on the driveway, raising its wings to soak in the sun (left). I only noticed it when I walked out of the house and th bird noisely flew off into the garden. Besides the characteristic loud flapping, also made by other pigeons like Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans), my attention was also directed to its large pair of wings and tail feathers as it flew off.

I used to surprise the bird a few times when it was foraging on the ground of my garden. Subsequently I became more careful. The bird meticulously searched the ground, foraging for up to half an hour at a time, pecking the ground whenever it found seeds, ants and what not before moving off.

During hot periods when the driveway is heated up, it will lie on the tiles, spreading its wings upwards to the sun. It would appear that this form of sunbathing is characteristic also of the Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata), previously known as Zebra Dove.

One day, I found a pair perching on the top of my gate. This was the first time I have seen the two birds together (below).

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YC Wee
Singapore
May 2008

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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