Mourning doves rank as some of the WORST parents in the avian world. Canadian geese mate for life and both parents teach their babies to swim and forage for food. Males defend their brood against any threat, even a truck passing the breeding pond will bring one out  storming on the road, flapping his wings in defiance and hissing.

But with doves, it’s parental neglect, pure and simple. I watched a pair strut around outside my lanai, cooing and cuddling. They nestled into the mulch under a little palm tree–right next to the hole where a black racer snake dwells under my apartment.

After their tiny eggs were laid, I noticed both left the nest for long intervals. Two mornings later, all that remained of their children were scattered shell fragments. The doves again spent their time cooing, cuddling and eating, completely absorbed in each other.

I’m amazed that any of this species are actually raised into adulthood. Mourning doves should have become extinct long ago simply due to neglectful parenting.

Now these birds are beautiful, with jet beads for eyes, umbra shaded feathers and bright red legs. They’re recognizable by a mournful cry that wrings your heart but this haunting sound doesn’t spring from sorrow. The doves I’ve seen aren’t grieving. 

Not like humans do. We’d have less heartache if we could shrug off loss of life so easily.