Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis
Complete identification, biology, and professional control methods
For effective control and prevention, professional pest management is recommended.
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Laughing Dove At-A-Glance
Key facts and characteristics
Complete Laughing Dove Guide
Professional identification and control information
Biology & Lifecycle
Understanding Laughing Dove biology and development
Lifecycle Details
Egg Stage
The female typically lays a clutch of two small, white, glossy eggs in a flimsy nest. Incubation is shared by both parents and lasts for approximately 13-15 days. They can breed at any time of year if conditions are favourable.
Adult Stage
Chicks are fed 'crop milk', a secretion from the lining of the parents' crops, for the first few days, before transitioning to regurgitated seeds. They fledge (leave the nest) at around 14-17 days old but may be fed by the parents for another week or two. They reach sexual maturity at a few months old, allowing for rapid population growth. They are monogamous and form strong pair bonds.
Pupal Stage
Not applicable.
Larval Stage
Not applicable. The young are called chicks or squabs.
Seasonal Cycle
Breeding can occur year-round in Perth, but there is a noticeable peak in activity during the spring and autumn months. Flocking behaviour may be more common in winter.
Development Time
The entire cycle from egg laying to the fledging of young takes only about one month.
Reproduction Rate
Highly prolific. In the favourable conditions of suburban Perth, they can raise multiple broods per year, sometimes as many as 5 or 6. This rapid breeding is a key reason for their successful establishment.
Generations Per Year
Multiple generations per year are typical.
Maximum Temperature
Well-adapted to hot, dry conditions found in their native range and in Western Australia.
Minimum Temperature
They are adaptable but do not tolerate prolonged freezing conditions well, which has likely limited their spread to colder regions of Australia.
Optimal Temperature
They thrive in warm, mild climates, which is why they have been so successful in Perth's Mediterranean climate.
Environmental Factors
Their success is closely tied to human-modified environments that provide a reliable supply of food (spilled grain, bird feeders), water, and nesting sites (exotic trees, buildings).
Habitat & Distribution
Where Laughing Dove lives and thrives
Hiding Spots
- Nesting in dense exotic trees, shrubs, and creepers.
- Roosting on ledges, beams, and in the foliage of trees at night.
Microhabitat
Suburban gardens with a mix of lawns for foraging and trees for nesting and roosting.
Nesting Behavior
They build a flimsy, loosely-constructed nest made of twigs, roots, and grasses. The nest is a simple platform, often so thin that the eggs can be seen from below. They are not particular about nesting sites.
Preferred Habitats
- Urban and suburban parks, gardens, and backyards.
- Agricultural areas, particularly around grain storage and livestock feeding areas.
- Lightly wooded areas and scrubland.
- They are highly adapted to and thrive in human-altered landscapes.
- They avoid dense, wet forests.
Humidity Preference
Adaptable to both dry and moderately humid conditions.
Habitat Modification
Minimal. Their droppings can accumulate in roosting and nesting areas.
Nesting Requirements
A sheltered, flat surface in a tree, shrub, or on a building ledge.
Temperature Preference
Warm, temperate, and Mediterranean climates.
Distribution Patterns
States
Their population is almost entirely confined to the southwest of Western Australia, centered around the Perth metropolitan area and extending into nearby agricultural regions.
Native Range
Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
Climate Zones
- Mediterranean
Urban Vs Rural
Very common in both urban and rural areas within its limited Australian range.
Current Spread
The population is well-established and stable within southwest WA but has not shown an ability to cross the Nullarbor Plain or spread into the arid interior, limiting its national spread.
Introduced Range
Introduced to Western Australia.
Limiting Factors
The vast, arid expanse of the Nullarbor Plain has acted as a major geographical barrier, preventing its natural spread to the eastern states.
Spread Mechanism
A gradual, natural dispersal from the original point of release in Perth.
Introduction History
Deliberately introduced to the South Perth Zoological Gardens in 1898, from where they either escaped or were released.
Establishment Factors
The provision of permanent water sources (garden ponds, sprinklers) and abundant food (bird feeders, spilled grain) in suburban Perth has been key to their success.
Behavior & Diet
Laughing Dove behavioral patterns and feeding habits
Parental Care
Both parents are involved in incubating the eggs and feeding the young.
Mating Behavior
The male performs a courtship display that involves bowing, cooing, and a display flight where he claps his wings.
Social Behavior
They are gregarious birds, often seen in pairs or small family groups. In areas with abundant food, they can congregate in large flocks of 50 or more.
Activity Pattern
Diurnal. They are active throughout the day, foraging for food on the ground.
Foraging Behavior
Primarily a ground-foraging bird. They walk along the ground pecking at seeds and other food items. They are common visitors to backyard bird feeders.
Defensive Behavior
Their main defence is to take flight quickly when threatened. They are not aggressive birds.
Dispersal Behavior
Young birds disperse from their parents' territory to find their own mates and nesting sites. Their spread throughout the southwest of WA has been a slow but steady process from the original point of introduction.
Territorial Behavior
They will defend a small area around their nest site from other doves, but they are not strongly territorial when feeding and will share food sources.
Communication Methods
Their primary communication is their distinctive, rolling, laughing call. They also use visual displays during courtship.
Dietary Preferences
Feeding Habits
Granivorous, meaning their diet consists mainly of seeds.
Foraging Range
They will typically forage within a few kilometres of their roosting site.
Feeding Schedule
Throughout the day, with peaks in the early morning and late afternoon.
Primary Food Sources
- Seeds from grasses and weeds.
- Spilled grain in agricultural areas or from bird feeders.
- Bread crumbs and other food scraps provided by people.
- Some small insects and fruits.
- They are very opportunistic feeders.
Seasonal Diet Changes
Their diet shifts based on the seasonal availability of different seeds and grains.
Professional Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Laughing Dove
Are Laughing Doves native to Australia?
No, the Laughing Dove is not native to Australia. It is an introduced species that originates from Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. It was deliberately introduced to Perth, Western Australia, in 1898. Since then, it has established a large and self-sustaining feral population, but it has remained almost entirely confined to the southwest corner of Western Australia. The arid Nullarbor Plain has acted as a natural barrier, preventing its spread to the eastern states. So, while it is a common bird in Perth, it is not a part of Australia's native fauna.
Are Laughing Doves a serious pest?
Laughing Doves are generally considered a minor nuisance pest rather than a serious one. Unlike Feral Pigeons, they do not typically cause significant structural damage to buildings. However, in large numbers, they can become problematic. Their droppings can be messy and can contaminate outdoor areas. They can damage seedlings and small plants in gardens and can be a minor pest of grain crops. They may also compete with smaller native birds for food resources in suburban gardens. Their impact is highly localised to areas where their populations are dense, primarily within their limited range in Western Australia.
How can I stop Laughing Doves from coming into my garden?
The most effective way to discourage Laughing Doves is to make your garden less attractive to them. The primary reason they congregate is for food and water. Avoid feeding them, and if you have bird feeders for other birds, consider using designs that larger birds like doves cannot easily access. Clean up any spilled pet food immediately. You can also use deterrents to make the area feel unsafe for them. Visual deterrents like reflective scare tape, scare-eye balloons, or predator decoys (like a fake owl, which should be moved regularly) can be effective. Physical exclusion, such as covering your vegetable patch with bird netting, is the best way to protect your plants.
What's the difference between a Laughing Dove and a Spotted Dove?
These two introduced doves are similar in size but can be distinguished by two key features: their neck markings and their distribution in Australia. The Laughing Dove has a distinctive collar of fine black speckles on the front of its throat and neck. The Spotted Dove has a much bolder, checkerboard-like patch of black and white spots located on the back and sides of its neck. The easiest difference for most Australians is location: if you are in Perth or southwest WA, you are seeing a Laughing Dove. If you are on the east coast (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), you are seeing a Spotted Dove.
Is it legal to control or remove Laughing Doves?
As an introduced, non-native species, the Laughing Dove is not protected under Australian law. This means that lethal control is legally permissible. However, any control action must strictly adhere to state-based animal welfare legislation, which mandates that animals must be handled and euthanized humanely. Methods like shooting are also heavily restricted by firearm laws and are only applicable in very specific rural situations by licensed individuals. For the general public, trapping and killing birds is not recommended. The focus should always be on humane methods like exclusion and deterrents. If a population is a significant problem, a licensed professional pest manager should be engaged.
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Image Gallery
Visual identification guide for Laughing Dove
Images of Laughing Dove showing key identifying features: