"Lovey Dovey"

In addition to the more obvious colorful song birds we enjoy on our woodsy one acre, we also have three kinds of doves, this pair being the largest.  These larger ones are called Laced Necked or Chinese Doves and were introduced from Asia in the 1800's.   The smaller variety tend to stay toward the front of the property which is more forest like.

These doves get their name from the black and white spotted "collar" around their necks. They also have a sort of rosy breast.  Both in the morning and at evening, you will find all the doves down on the ground getting lots of bugs.  This mated pair seems to favor a branch in the large Ohia tree toward the back of the property.

This same tree, however, is shared with the Myna birds who have taken the last several weeks building their nest just outside the kitchen window in the ohana.  In Eureka, one of our annual treats was watching the swallows build their nest; waiting for the auspicious 'first flight' of the fledglings was always a favorite back yard event.  It will be fun to see when the chicks first start poking their heads out.