It has been a very long winter in Maine this year. The snow pack still covers our garden. The Mourning Doves, Zenaida macroura, have been sitting out on our deck whenever there is a glimpse of the sun.

The dove gets its name from its deep plaintive call—actually, I find the call rather calming and peaceful, more of a purring than a wail. Like our Chickadees, the Mourning Doves spend the winter with us. It is a rather timid bird and forages cautiously under our feeders. Click on the image for a larger view.