Camouflaged Mourning Dove

In the field where this Mourning Dove is walking, there are freshly cut wild oats. The bird is on the ground trying to find the oat seeds that have fallen off of the plant. It eats the Wild Oats. Mourning Doves survive well because they are camouflaged. They are difficult to see because they are brownish gray like the dirt upon which they walk. What would happen to Mourning Doves if they were bright pink? Would they be easier to see or more difficult to see?

Mourning Doves also survive well because they make so many babies. They can have up to twelve babies in one season. Two eggs are laid at a time. The parents take care of the two eggs. The eggs hatch and the parents still take care of the young doves. The babies grow and then fly off to live their own lives. The parents can have two more babies. They do this about six times in a season.

There is a common sight and sound in southern California this time of year. During these foggy "June gloom" gray days, you can hear Mourning Doves calling, "Coo-eeeee coooo cooooooo coooooooo." When you wake up tomorrow morning, listen near your window and maybe you'll hear a Mourning Dove cooing to its mate.

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