The gentle sound associated with doves is widely recognized as a coo. This distinctive vocalization is a defining characteristic of doves and pigeons, playing a significant role in their daily lives and interactions. While commonly heard, the underlying reasons for this sound extend beyond simple vocal expression.
Purpose of the Coo
Doves utilize cooing for various reasons, primarily for communication within their species. Male doves, in particular, are frequent cooers, using the sound as a form of advertising to attract a mate. This persistent vocalization signals their availability and readiness to breed to potential partners.
Cooing also functions as a territorial declaration. A male dove might coo repeatedly from a prominent perch to inform other males that a specific area is claimed. This helps in defending their space, especially during the breeding season when securing a nesting site is important. Cooing can also indicate that a dove feels comfortable and secure in its environment.
Types of Coo Calls and Their Meanings
The coo encompasses a range of variations, each conveying a different message through subtle changes in pitch, rhythm, or duration. The “perch-coo,” also known as the “advertising coo,” is the most common sound from unmated male mourning doves. This call, often described as a drawn-out “cooooOOOOO-woo-woo-woo,” aims to attract a female.
A different vocalization is the “nest call,” typically a quieter, three-noted “coo, OO, oo” where the middle note is higher in pitch. Paired males use this call to guide their mate to a potential nest site during nest building. It is also used by both male and female doves to signal shift changes for incubation duties. While male cooing is more prevalent, female doves can produce soft “ohr ohr” calls, often heard while they are sitting on the nest.
Cooing and Dove Behavior
Cooing integrates into the life cycle and daily behaviors of doves, particularly during their breeding season. Unmated males dedicate considerable time to perch-cooing, especially around sunrise and dusk, to attract a female. Once a pair forms, the male’s cooing frequency generally decreases.
During courtship, males often combine cooing with physical displays like strutting, bowing, and feather ruffling. After finding a mate, the male leads the female to potential nest sites, using softer coos to communicate. Both parents share incubation duties and feed their young “crop milk,” with cooing playing a role in maintaining their bond during these shifts. Cooing is a complex communication tool that shapes the social interactions and reproductive success of doves.