Birding

Bar-shouldered Doves in Broome

November 17, 2019 by Clare M No Comments

I am not sure how it happened, but I have written 480 posts and somehow not even shared photos of Bar-shouldered Doves. This bird species is usually the first in our garden each morning and the last to leave at the end of the day! The Bar-shouldered Dove is a common bird around Broome and that reason alone is no doubt how it has been omitted over the years that I have been sharing my bird observations with you all. The birds come into our garden for water and shade. The Bar-shouldered Doves will even walk around the back veranda in the shade.

Bar-shouldered Dove

The Bar-shouldered Dove is one of the larger of the dove species around Broome. The other common dove species that visits our garden is the Peaceful Dove and they often arrive together on our ‘pretend power line‘. The Peaceful Dove is a similar size to the Diamond Dove, which visits less regularly.

Peaceful Dove and Bar-shouldered Dove on the ‘pretend power line’

Bar-shouldered Dove in the last of the light

When we get a visit from the local Brown Goshawks the Bar-shouldered Doves stand motionless. Even if they are in the middle of the open space they appear to think that by not moving they are not visible to the birds of prey! The strategy is not successful and it is quite common for Bar-shouldered Doves to hit our windows in a panic.

So, there you go! The Bar-shouldered Dove!

Written by Clare M

Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!