In Search of Snowbirds | Morning Dove Close-up

Northern Illinois | 1/30/2019 1:34 pm CST | Fair Skies -18°F Moderate Winds

In Search of Snowbirds | Morning Dove Close-up   This Morning Dove was picking up seeds off the top of the snow under the bird feeder.  The colder it is outside the more food they need to stay warm.

The Back Story    Even though this Morning Dove was relatively close to my lens, it still takes a long lens to get up close with birds. 

Quick Facts…

Morning Dove … brown to buffy-tan with black spotted wings & black-bordered white tipped tail.
HabitatFarms, towns, open woods, roadsides, grasslands…
RangeCommon in Northern Illinois
NestNest is flimsy platform of twigs in tree or shrub, sometimes on ground,
DietSeeds, 99% of diet. Likes seeds of grains, grasses, ragweed, etc.
BehaviorForages mostly on ground. Feeds underneath bird feeder.
SizeLength: 9.1-13.4 in | Weight: 3.4-6.0 oz | Wingspan: 17.7 in   Size about same as Robin