Laughing dove

Introduction: Laughing doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) sing all year round which has been described as a 'gentle, laughing sound', heard in woodlands, open woodland, Acacia savannah, parks and gardens. They are usually solitary birds, but pairs and flocks will congregate around food or water.

Distribution: Throughout Namibia less for southern Namib Desert.

Diet: Seeds of grasses, shrubs and trees, maize, oats, sunflowers and wheat.

Description: Black nuchal collar (back of the neck). Streptopelia is the Greek word for 'a collared dove'.

Breeding: Nests are made of twigs and leafs and lined with rootlets. Females lay between 1 and 4 eggs with an incubation period of 14 days.

Size: 25cm.

Weight: 100g.