18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A pair of Laughing Doves pecking each other and locking bills as part of their courtship ritual before mating.

A pair of Laughing Doves (Spilopelia senegalensis) exhibit an appeasement behavior called allopreening that involves gentle caressing, pecking, and preening during courtship. Here, the pair is seen locking bills as part of their courtship ritual before mating. Caressing, kissing, and preening during courtship are appeasement behaviors that strengthen the bond between the pair during the breeding season.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 01.2020
Date Uploaded: 09.2020
Photo Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Camera: NIKON D5500
Copyright: © Chandana Roy