Laughing Dove

Latin Name: 
Stigmatopelia senegalensis
Category: 
Size: 
26cm
Description: 

Sexes alike. Pinkish grey-brown plumage with black-andwhite chessboard on sides of foreneck; white tips to outer-tail feathers and broad grey wing-patches best seen in flight; small size distinctive. Pairs or small flocks; associates freely with other doves in huge gatherings at harvest time; feeds mostly on ground, walking about silently.

Habitat: 
open scrub, cultivation, neighbourhood of habitation.
Food: 
grains, grass, weeds and seeds.
Distribution: 
almost entire India up to about 1,200m in the outer Himalaya; uncommon in NE states.
Call: 
Call Description: 
somewhat harsh but pleasant cru…do…do…do…do.
National Status: