Scientific name: Streptopelia senegalensis
In southern Africa it is extremely common and widespread, occupying woodland, farmland, suburban parks, Acacia plantations and gardens.
The laughing dove is a long-tailed, slim pigeon, typically 25 cm (9.8 in) in length. It is pinkish brown on the underside with a lilac tinged head and neck. The head and underparts are pinkish, shading to buff on the lower abdomen. A chequered rufous and grey patch is found on the sides of the neck and are made up of split feathers. The upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey band along the wing. The African populations senegalensis and phoenicophila have a bluish grey rump and upper tail coverts. The tail is graduated and the outer feathers are tipped in white.
Eats mainly seeds, as well as small fruit, bulbs and insects, doing most of its foraging on the ground.
