Laughing Dove

Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766)

		adult juvenile
2005-11-13 Almaty, Samal 2017-08-06 Abai, Suzak region, Southern Kazakhstan.	© Askar Isabekov © Askar Isabekov

Distribution

Recent years widely settled in southern and eastern Kazakhstan. Now breeds in north to Aralsk and Betpak-Dala (Chulak-Espe, Koyandyozek, Dzhambulgora); in Kurgaldzhino appeared in 1993; by the foothills of Tien Shan and Dzhungarskiy Alatau expanded to Zaysan depression, Southwest Altai (Ridder, Akzhar, Shemonaikha, Bolshenarymskoye, Alekseyevka, Katon-Karagay, Kurchum) and Semipalatinsk. In July 1981 two birds seen at Karaganda airport. In 1965 appeared in Pavlodar where was common until 1987. Wandering birds observed near Orenburg, in Naurzum Reserve (in 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998 and breeds now), on Tengiz lake 16-23 May 1978.

Biology

Numerous in places rare resident. Inhabits the villages and towns, prefers the localities of single-storey buildings. Breeds by separate pairs not far one from another. Nest is built from thin twigs in buildings mostly, and rare on trees, bushes. Clutch of 2 eggs is laid from end of February – March until October. Both parents incubate clutch and feed juveniles. Female begins to lay the eggs of next clutch for 1-3 days before the fledging of juveniles who later fed by male, but sometimes juveniles return to roost with female in new nest. Rears two, three or more brood per season. In late summer and in autumn birds join in small flocks and gather near grain elevators, mills and other food-rich places. Very rare occurs outside the villages and towns. Winter is a critical period for Laughing Dove who can’t survive feeding only natural foods without human support.

Subspecies

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.