It’s well known that doves are considered a sign of peace and mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) really tend to embody that sentiment. The much smaller, cute little ground doves scuffle with each other and sometimes with the other birds on a regular basis (especially in the spring mating/breeding season). Even in the spring, though, the mourning doves wait their turn, watching the feeding station and the other birds. If anyone else confronts them, they simply fly away or disappear into the brush. They usually show up either singly or in bonded pairs that are quite affectionate with each other. This little dove dropped by this morning and as is typical of these birds, she waited patiently up in the oak tree until all the crazy cardinal fledglings had eaten and tired of chasing each other around. Then she came down, ate for a few minutes, and headed back into the trees. It was interesting watching her watching the other birds (and keeping an eye on me). You could almost tell what she was thinking as she waited her turn.