Laughing Dove
Afrikaans name: Rooiborsduifie
Laughing Doves are common garden birds
Photo © Steven Herbert
Spilopelia senegalensis
The Laughing Dove is found throughout South Africa. In some areas of the country it is abundant and resident while in others it is more nomadic. In some areas it is a common visitor to gardens. The Laughing Dove is also found in most of sub-Saharan Africa as well as some of the Middle East and southern Asia.
Their call is bubbling and low-key and supposedly resembles a laughing noise.
Males are a big more brightly coloured than females. Juveniles are even paler and the chest markings are less distinct.
Laughing Doves mainly eat seeds and grain but will also eat some insects.
They build a flimsy nest in a tree. The female normally lays two eggs.
When courting the male approaches the female with his chest puffed out and he bobs his head up and down.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 317 | Stigmatopelia senegalensis aeguatorialis |
| 2nd | 317 | Stigmatopelia senegalensis |
| 3rd | 317 | Stigmatopelia senegalensis |
| 4th | 317 | Stigmatopelia senegalensis |
| 5th | 355 | Spilopelia senegalensis |
| 6th | 355 | Spilopelia senegalensis |
| 7th | 185 | Spilopelia senegalensis |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 317 | Laughing Dove |
| 2nd | 317 | Laughing Dove |
| 3rd | 317 | Laughing Dove |
| 4th | 317 | Laughing Dove |
| 5th | 355 | Laughing Dove |
| 6th | 355 | Laughing Dove |
| 7th | 185 | Laughing Dove |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 317 | Lemoen-duifie |
| 2nd | 317 | Rooibors-duifie |
| 3rd | 317 | Rooibors-duifie |
| 4th | 317 | Rooibors-duifie |
| 5th | 355 | Rooiborsduifie |
| 6th | 355 | Rooiborsduifie |
| 7th | 185 | Rooiborsduifie |
References and further reading
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 52Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 44
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 106
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 48
The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Published: 1983 - Page: 84
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 136
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 162
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 22
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 128
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 308
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 305
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 216
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 224
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 228
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 219
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 86
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 169
Newman s Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 32
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 196
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 196
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 51
Geoff Lockwood s Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 34
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 152
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 410
Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 10
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 180
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 59
Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 47
Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 158
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 100
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 14
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 36
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 116
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 37
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 65
Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 6
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 116
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 94
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 206
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 134
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 80
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 115
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 142
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 115
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