Today we introduce a new species of Birdorable dove – it’s our Ring-necked Dove!

Ring-necked Doves, scientifically known as Streptopelia capicola, are a familiar sight across the vast savannahs and lush landscapes of southern Africa. With their distinctive trilling calls resonating through the air, these doves have become an integral part of the acoustic tapestry of the African wilderness. However, their presence extends beyond the savannah, as they are known to inhabit various types of environments, including forests, scrublands, and plantations.

One of the remarkable features of Ring-necked Doves is their dietary flexibility. These omnivorous birds predominantly sustain themselves by feeding on a diet of seeds and fruits. Occasionally, they diversify their meals by capturing insects, showcasing their adaptability in finding food sources.

In matters of the heart, Ring-necked Doves are renowned for their monogamous nature. When these doves find their avian soulmate, they commit to a lifelong partnership. Both parents actively participate in the nurturing of their offspring, sharing the responsibilities of caring for the eggs and raising their chicks. This strong sense of familial duty exemplifies the tight-knit bonds within Ring-necked Dove pairs.

Stay tuned for more fascinating bird species, as we continue to introduce you to the diverse and colorful world of birds, one Birdorable at a time! Tomorrow’s new species is the main ancestor of the modern domestic chicken. You can guess the species from this easy clue, can’t you?

Today’s new addition to Birdorable is a colorful species in the dove family. The Pink-headed Fruit Dove joins our Birdorable Pigeons and Doves!

Pink-headed Fruit Doves are easily recognized by their pinkish purple heads and green backs. Their breasts have a spiffy white and black border stripe between the pinkish-purple above and the light grey below. Males, like our Birdorable version, have bright colors; females are similar but with duller vibrance.

They are native to Indonesia, where they live in forest habitat and feed on fruits, figs, and berries.

Pink-headed Fruit Doves are also known as Temminck’s Fruit Pigeons. Coenraad Jacob Temminck was a Dutch zoologist who had a hand in describing and naming over forty species for science, including many birds (Temminck’s Hornbill) and mammals (Temminck’s Flying Squirrel).

Tomorrow we’ll add a very rare stork to Birdorable. The species is named after an explorer, not a weather event. Can you guess the species?

On the second day of Birdorable, my true love sent to me ... 2 Turtle Doves! As we joyfully continue our 12 Days of Birdorable, today we warmly welcome the European Turtle Dove, a bird that embodies the spirit of peace, love, and fidelity, making it a fitting ambassador for the season's greetings.

The "Two Turtle Doves" from the timeless "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol are not only a staple of holiday music but also a universal symbol of devoted love. The European Turtle Dove, with its delicate features, including a distinctive black-and-white cheek patch and the striking red skin around its eyes, captures the essence of this enduring symbol. 

Turtle Doves have long held a place in popular culture and literature as emblems of deep affection and enduring relationships, making their representation in the carol a celebration of love and companionship during the holiday season. Beyond their cultural significance, Turtle Doves face challenges in the wild, with declining populations due to habitat loss, hunting, and changes in agricultural practices. 

As we embrace the beauty and grace of the Two Birdorable Turtle Doves on this second day of our festive journey, let their image inspire thoughts of love, peace, and the importance of cherishing and protecting the natural world. 

This is the second day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Our first day featured A Partridge in a Pear Tree. Over the next 10 days we will feature another Birdorable bird for our 12 Days of Birdorable. Be sure to check back each day for this fun event!

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Mourning Dove! Mourning Doves are widespread across North America, one of the most abundant birds on the continent. They are ground feeders, feasting on seeds and storing extra food in their crop for later digestion. Mourning Doves are common backyard feeder birds who will often spend hours pecking at seeds while remaining relatively still. Believe it or not, Mourning Doves consume up to 20% of their body weight every day. So that's how they maintain their pleasantly plump profile!

Mourning Dove by Joanne-V

Tomorrow's bird is a small green bird that's widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south-west Asia. Can you guess what it is?

This Birdorable American flag is made of Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals and White Doves. A great design for patriotic birdwatchers and bird lovers across America. The design is shown here on a Ladies Fitted Long Sleeve t-shirt.