The Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) | Doves in India

The Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a gentle, mournful-sounding bird species native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. It has a soft, gray-brown plumage with a distinctive black neck spot and a pale, tear-drop shaped patch on its cheek. Reaching lengths of approximately 10-12 inches (25-30 cm), this dove is known for its mournful, low-pitched calls, often described as a soft, laughing or chuckling sound. A ground-foraging bird, the Laughing Dove feeds on seeds, grains, and small insects, and is often seen in urban and rural areas, making it a familiar sight in many parts of the world.