This is a common breeding resident in our area. It avoids dense forest but otherwise occurs throughout in open woodland, scrub, parks and gardens. It tends to prefer drier country than the other doves and is much the commonest species in thorn scrub. Conversely, it is less numerous in cultivation although every village will have a few pairs. The Laughing Dove is particularly familiar near human habitation, even in the middle of habitation. It often makes its flimsy nest on low bushes and adjoining creepers or on buildings, in hanging baskets and even in buildings. They will even wander through open doors into houses, particularly in villages, in their quest for seeds on the ground.

Flocks of this dove tend to be smaller than those of other doves although they will mix with Eurasian and Red Collared Doves at favoured food sources in the winter months. They are much more frequently seen in pairs. Indeed the pairs seem inseparable with the male constantly courting the female with much crooning and head-bobbing. When nesting, the male is quite aggressive, chasing other males and even other species away. Breeding takes place mostly from March to October but unfortunately, because the nest is often exposed, the eggs or chicks are frequently taken by House Crows. The bubbling hurried call “cru do do do” (from which it gets its name) is a very familiar sound on warm afternoons and seems synonymous with the summer. The species is also known as the Little Brown Dove as it is one of the smallest doves in India.