Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis
Also known as: Laughing Turtle-Dove, Palm Dove
About This Species
A small, slim dove of open woodland, farmland, gardens and urban areas across Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, often seen walking on the ground foraging for seeds in pairs or small groups. Its soft, bubbling, laughing call is a familiar sound around towns and villages and is usually the easiest way to detect its presence. It is present year-round in most of its range and is easy to find near human settlements with open ground and scattered trees.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This common, adaptable species tolerates people well, so a modest distance of a few metres is generally sufficient for a good view without causing it to flush.
- Legal protections for common birds vary considerably across its wide range, so check local rules before disturbing nests, which are often placed in low shrubs or on ledges near buildings.
- Avoid approaching nests directly even though adults may seem unbothered by nearby activity.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
1,381,128 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.