Laughing Dove

The Laughing Dove is smaller than the common pigeon and is much slimmer. Its head, neck and upper breast portions are pinkish-brown, with white abdomen parts. 

It is often mistaken for the more common Spotted Dove. A black and brown checker-board pattern on its throat differentiates it from the Spotted Dove, which has a distinctive black and white checker-board on the neck.(See post: Spotted Dove).

The other key identifying features are bluish-gray wing patches and black wing tips. Sexes are alike. 

It is difficult to spot and is quite uncommon.

Name	Laughing Dove
Alternate name(s)	Little Brown Dove
Size	Spotted Dove
Occurrence	Lightly forested, dry shrublands
Status	Uncommon
Distinct features	Pinkish-brown head neck, upper throat and breast parts; white abdomen, bluish-gray wing patches and black wing tips. A distinctive black and brown checker-board pattern on its throat differentiates it from the Spotted Dove.
Sexes	Alike