I have yet to hear anyone say anything positive about White-winged Doves. These migrants from the south descend on us in late April and everyone begins muttering through gritted teeth about them. The problem is, despite their beautiful looks, they are total thugs. Monopolising feeders and beating up on any other birds that try to come near. Luckily for us all, by September they will move on again and peace will return to the area.
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I grumble as much as the next person about the white-wings, but, I do have something positive to say. Researchers feel that these doves are an important pollinator of the saguaros. Maybe even the primary pollinator. So the saguaros are happy to see them!
They are pretty! It is the same with the Mourning Doves in my yard! Beautiful photo!
They are pretty! It is the same with the Mourning Doves in my yard! Beautiful photo!
They eat the ground seed at our feeders, leaving the finches and lovebirds to the seed in the feeders. I give them thanks for the manners in this!
Yeah at last a positive comment, thank you Carole :) Interesting too I hadn't really thought of them as the primary pollinators. I love the Saguaros so much so anything that works in their favour cannot be all bad can it?
Yes they are Eileen, it is hard to stay angry with them for too long :)
They crash into my feeders Brenda, scattering all the other birds, and seed and then totally monopolize all the seed that falls on the ground. The only birds I have seen stand up to them are the Gambell's Quail!
What beautiful eyes they have! They seem to be mild mannered at my feeders this summer, but in past years I have called them bullies. :)
They do don't they Diane.
You are lucky that yours are being so polite!
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