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Feeding Spotted Dove: 3. Comfort behaviour

on 10th July 2010

It was always fascinating to watch the Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) seeking out the birdseeds scattered on the grassy patch of the garden. When the seeds were plentiful the bird would be busy pecking at them. However when birdseeds were sparse, it would walk round seeking them out.

It was during such periods of “scarcity” that the dove would have time to indulge in comfort behaviour. During a sunny period it would sit on a sunny patch, raise one of its wing up high to expose the feathers on the inner surface to the sun‘s rays for up to a minute before lowering it (above left).

In between foraging, the dove would stretch both wings to take up the typical “angel” pose (above right) or do a wing-leg stretch (below right). At the same time it would preen various parts of the body as well as scratch its head.

It was amusing to observe a Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) in the background similarly taking advantage of the sun (above right). It sat on the ground with bill agape and eyes wide open. It remained in this position for a few minutes before getting up. Was it desperately trying to lose heat in the hot sun? Later the myna also indulged in preening.

YC Wee
Singapore
July 2010

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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