• A rare sighting of a partially white Laughing Dove was recently reported from the Nagamalai hillock forest near Nambiyur in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, drawing the attention of bird watchers and ecologists.
• The Laughing Dove, scientifically known as Spilopelia senegalensis, is a small, slim, long-tailed pigeon species. It is also popularly called the laughing turtle dove, palm dove, Senegal dove, and in India, the little brown dove.
• This bird is widely distributed across Africa, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, and in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Iran.
• In South Asia, it is found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. It also occurs in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, the UAE, and Turkey, while some populations have been introduced in Western Australia.
• The Laughing Dove thrives in dry scrublands and semi-desert regions and is commonly observed feeding on the ground in open grasslands or cultivated areas.
• Measuring about 25 cm in length, the bird has a reddish-brown back, wings, and tail with a contrasting blue-grey tone. Its underwings display a rich chestnut color during flight, while the head and underparts are pinkish, fading to whitish on the lower belly.
• A distinct feature is the black spotting on the throat, paired with red legs. Juveniles appear more rufous and lack the characteristic throat markings.
• In terms of behavior, the species is not very social and is usually spotted alone or in pairs.
• Being ground feeders, Laughing Doves prefer walking and foraging on the ground rather than perching in groups.
• Despite the unusual white morph observed in Tamil Nadu, the species overall remains secure and is currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List.