Love Doves

Birds, trees and the forest keep entering my conscious and subconscious these days.  Their themes interwoven with the themes in my life, and I don't know why exactly, but I'm going to go with it.  I was reading about doves and how they sit on their branch and "coo" to attract their lover. And I thought, that is exactly what I will do...

My house has 2 beautiful trees out each of my favorite windows.  I am going to sit here on my branch and sing... until someone hears my song.

Is that silly?  I think not.  It works for love birds!

Here are some other things they do... sound familiar?  ;*)

• Singing: Singing is one of the most common ways birds can attract a mate. The intricacy of the song, or the variety of different songs one bird can produce, help to advertise its maturity and intelligence – desirable characteristics for a healthy mate.  For some species, only one gender will sing, while other species may create a duet as part of the bonding ritual.
  
  
• Displays: Flamboyant plumage colors and elaborate displays of prominent feathers, skin or body shape can show off how strong and healthy a bird is, advertising its suitability as a mate. 
• Dancing: Physical movements, from daring dives to intricate sequences including wing flaps, head dips, or different steps can be part of a courtship ritual. In many species, the male alone will dance for his female while she observes his actions, while in other species both partners will interact with one another. Dance mistakes show inexperience or hesitancy and would likely not lead to a successful mating.
  
  
• Preening: Close contact between male and female birds can be part of the courtship rituals to help diffuse their normal spatial boundaries and aggression. The birds may lightly preen one another, sit with their bodies touching or otherwise lean on one another to show that they are not intending to harm their partner.
  
  
• Feeding: Offering food is another common part of the bird courtship behavior for many species. Typically a male bird may bring a morsel to the female, demonstrating that he is able not only to find food, but that he can share it and is able to provide for her while she incubates eggs or tends the brood. For some species the male may just bring food and transfer it to the female for her to feed, while in other species he will place a seed or insect directly in her mouth just as he might be expected to do when helping feed hungry nestlings.
  
  
• Building: Some birds seek to attract a mate by showing off their architectural skills. Constructing nests before the female arrives is a way for males to claim territory and show the suitable nesting areas they can defend. They may also decorate the nest with pebbles, moss, flowers or even litter to make it more eye-catching. The female may then choose the nest she prefers, or she may still build her own after mating with her chosen male.