Wildlife Corner Photos & Article By Barbara Ann Comer Lake Ashton has a few species of doves. These comforting cooing birds often dwell close to humans. The more widespread Mourning Dove was probably familiar to most residents before they moved to Lake Ashton. Its mournful sound is often mistaken for an owl though the tone of voice is quite different. Mourning Doves have a long pointed tailed with white tips on the outer tail feathers. When they take off in flight their wings produce a fluttering whistle. Although similar in length, White-winged Doves are heavierbodied and as the name suggests they have white wing patches which are best observed in flight. These can be seen in perched birds depending on how they hold their wings, but will appear as a thin white line. Their shorter, rounded tail also has white tips. The call of this dove is often rendered as “Who-cooks-for-you.” The best way to tell them apart is to check the shape of the tail, look at the wings for the presence or absence of a white patch or listen to them vocalize. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last Wildlife Corner submission by Barbara Ann Comer. We thank you for the four years of informative Wildlife Corner articles and beautiful photographs, and for all you do for the Lake Ashton community. Residents are more informed about the wonderful and abundant wildlife in Lake Ashton because of you.
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