Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis
IntroducedStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Laughing Dove is a small, long-tailed pigeon with soft pinkish-brown plumage and blue-grey wings. First introduced to Australia in the late 189s, it has established itself in urban areas of southwest Western Australia, particularly around Perth. Known for its gentle, bubbling call, this dove is a familiar presence in suburban gardens and parks.
Fun Facts
Their call consists of 4–7 bubbling notes resembling soft laughter, inspiring their name.
1. Blue-grey shoulder patch contrasting with pinkish-brown plumage.
2. Black-spotted rufous-brown band across the lower throat resembling a delicate necklace.
3. Wedge-shaped tail with broad white tips visible during flight.
In Australia, Laughing Doves are primarily found in urban environments around Perth and nearby towns in southwest Western Australia. They favour parks, gardens, streets, railway lines, and grain-handling facilities but rarely venture into bushland. Often seen perched on power lines or fences, they forage on the ground for seeds and scraps in suburban areas.
Native to sub-Saharan Africa, Laughing Doves were introduced to Western Australia from South Perth Zoological Gardens around 1898. Initially confined to Perth, their range expanded significantly during the 193s and 194s alongside the development of bulk grain-handling facilities.
Physical Attributes
Height
26 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds57%
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