Doves: Part V

The Mourning Dove is common (even abundant) whose range includes all of the United States and much of the southern parts of Canada.

They are year round residents in Arizona, and at The Azure Gate you can typically find 50 or more at any point during the day. They nest here from March through August. And those nests can be anywhere: cactus, window ledges, carports, trees etc. 

Mourning Dove nest in Saguaro Cactus

Mourning Dove nest in pine

Six years ago we had a Leucistic Mourning Dove around for about three months:

Leucistic Mourning Dove

New Year's Babies: Mourning Dove

We probably have 100 or more Mourning Doves around our property at any given point -- well, probably a little less in the winter due to the coyotes and bobcats feeding habits.

The Mourning Doves nest from April through August. Not the best nest builders, though. Yet, they seem to manage just about anywhere.

Here then are some photos:

In a Chain Fruit Cholla cactus

In a Saguaro

In a Pine tree

In a Palo Verde tree

On my tool cabinet

On a wall in the carport

On the Cable panel

Pairs of Two

This has been a very interesting "birding" season. For instance, the southernmost mountains (Santa Rita's, Huachuca's, and Chiricahua's) have had a surprisingly low number of hummingbirds this year. Madera Canyon, Patagonia, Ramsey Canyon, Miller Canyon, Ash Canyon, and Portal feeders have had far fewer hummingbirds. Miller Canyon, although it was the most devastated of all the mountain areas by last year's fire and flooding  -- and is still flooding this year as a result -- still has the highest population of hummingbirds. In addition to the usual suspects, Rufous, Blue Throat, and White Eared have frequented the Miller Canyon feeders. 

On the other hand, the ground birds of the Sonoran Desert -- where we live  -- have had an usual abundance of newborn chicks. I would guess the population of Gambel's Quail right now on our property is at least 250 or more. And, at least 150 Mourning and White Winged Doves. There is a light in our carport that is a favorite nesting place for the doves. They start nesting there in March and are still nesting there today. As one Dove finishes, another takes over. What's fun is that the chicks, for the first few days out of their nest, sit on my tool cabinet or the wall next to the carport. To get from the office to the main house takes you right past them. You could literally pick them up in your hand they are that close.

Yesterday, two were sitting side by side on top of the tool cabinet just asking for a photo. So, I took a photo but didn't look at it until today. Unfortunately, I had the wrong setting for the photo which put one in focus and one out of focus. Normally, as I photograph birds, I use a single point center focus because birds are small and usually in trees and that's the only way to get the bird in focus. In this case, I was too close and the closer you are to a subject the shorter the depth of focus will be. (Obviously, I should have corrected this with a different setting). However, it gave me an idea for a blog series. PAIRS! So, starting today, Pairs of Pairs -- or, otherwise known as Two Pair:

The Pair of  Mourning Dove Chicks sitting on my tool cabinet.

A Pair of Wild Turkeys in Madera Canyon

Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - IX

The last of Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and my photo trip: 

When I go to Imperial NWR I am totally focused on two things: Desert Bighorn Sheep and Feral Burros. But, occasionally something catches my eye and I take a photo, like the first Desert Iguana I have seen in the wild:

Desert Iguana

Imperial NWR is noted for its bird sanctuary. However, photographing water birds is a real challenge at Imperial because the only real access is by boat. Nonetheless, I felt compelled to photograph this Clark's Grebe from 100 yards away:

Clark's Grebe

I thought the only place Mourning Doves lived was on our property (just kidding). Although we have at least 100 on our property at any point in time, I felt compelled to photograph this one sitting on a jagged peak in the mountains:

Mourning Dove

 A Red Tail Hawk also caught my eye as I was looking in the mountains for Desert Bighorns:

Red Tail Hawk

 And, of course, what is a desert without Turkey Vultures:

Turkey Vulture

 Finally, a "poor" Whip-poor-will that had a damaged wing:

Whip-poor-will

Just Another Spring Morning in Southern Arizona

I had a few minutes before breakfast yesterday so I sat outside my office in one of the rocking chairs for 20 minutes taking photos of the birds. Here are some of those photos. (not bad for 20 minutes in a rocking chair):

Anna's Hummingbird

Black Headed Grosbeak - Female

Northern Cardinal - Female

Curved Bill Thrasher

Gambels Quail - Female

Gambels Quail - Male

Gila Woodpecker - Male

House Finch - Female

Lesser Goldfinch - Female

Lesser Goldfinch - Male

Mourning Dove

White Winged Dove

Nests

Most bird nests, like almost all animal dens, are difficult to find --- which is nature's way of saying "Do Not Disturb." There are a few exceptions. Doves nest anywhere: kitchen windows, eaves of roofs, outdoor furniture, literally anywhere. (Must be nature's way of saying "There are too many doves in the world please take one.") But, here some more "natural" dove nests:

Mourning Dove in Saguaro

Mourning Dove in Pine Tree

White Winged Dove (with chick) in Palo Verde Tree

Continuing with Ground Birds

Today, Mourning Doves. We have more than 100 Mourning Doves on our property at all times. They coo mostly during breeding which runs from February through August. Usually two chicks are produced. They nest just above anywhere, window sills, rafters, saguaros, mesquites, palo verdes, cholla, even in our ramada. They are found throughout the United States and Mexico. Although many migrate those here at the Azure Gate are year round residents. Population estimates are about 475 million birds throughout their range. I would guess that at least two, maybe three, are taking by Cooper's or Sharp Shinned Hawks each week here.  Almost entirely seed eaters, they also engulf find grains of sand that aid in digestion of the seed.

Above: Mourning Dove in Mesquite Tree

Above: Mourning Dove with young chick in Pine Tree nest

Above: Mourning Dove in nest in Saguaro

Birds of The Azure Gate: Part Nine

On to the Ground Birds of The Azure Gate, starting with the Mourning Dove.

Mourning Dove

The most abundant bird on our property is the Mourning Dove. I would guess 100 to 150 on any given day. They nest just about anywhere, like in this Saguaro above. But, they also nest in window sills, the eave of the ramada at our Catalina Guest House, the rafters of the main house, on a wall next to one of our gates ...

Here one has nested in a Chain Fruit (or Jumping) Cholla Cactus, which gives them some protection as you can see.

Here her egg has just hatched, the chick isn't much bigger than the egg. Mom has flown off, but returns moments later.

Here is a different Mourning Dove in a Palo Verde Tree with her young chick.

And finally, here is the young chick just after leaving the nest.