Birds › African savanna › Laughing Dove

Laughing Dove

Spilopelia senegalensis

Named for its soft, bubbling call, which sounds a little like quiet laughter.

Where to see it for real: Seed on the ground and a shallow water dish.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the African savanna habitat (Southern and East Africa, at sunset).

Laughing Dove facts

Family

Pigeons and doves

Length

10 in (26 cm)

Wingspan

17 in (42 cm)

Weight

3.5 oz (100 g)

Diet

Seeds, grain and small insects from the ground.

Range

Africa, the Middle East and South Asia; introduced in Western Australia.

Nest

A flimsy platform of twigs in a tree or on a building.

Song

A soft, bubbling "oo-oo-oo-OO-oo", like gentle laughter.

Active

at dawn, by day and at dusk

Status

Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Laughing Dove sounds like

How to attract the Laughing Dove

Feeder foods, favorite first: millet, sunflower seed. Feeders that hold them: tube feeder and platform feeder. Keep a bird bath full, too.

In the game: fill a feeder with millet and sunflower seed and keep the bird bath full. It is a common visitor.

More: bird songs and calls, what to feed birds.

More birds of the African savanna

Lilac-breasted RollerAfrican savannaSuperb StarlingAfrican savannaLittle Bee-eaterAfrican savannaSouthern Yellow-billed HornbillAfrican savannaSouthern Masked WeaverAfrican savannaHelmeted GuineafowlAfrican savanna