So much in love

This picture of Romeo and Juliet or a pair of Collared doves Streptopelia decaocto, was taken in my garden on 29/03/09. They have a habit of devouring the food on the bird table which is pigeon proof but not dove proof, and then sitting in there whispering sweet nothings to each other.

This species did not arrive in Britain until 1953, and bred for the first time in 1956. Due to its long breeding season (March - October), it was quickly able to colonise the whole country.

They are said to mate for life and pairs become inseparable. The eggs are incubated by the female during the night and by the male during the day. Therefore don't get too worried if all of a sudden your pair of doves becomes one, as it may simply mean they have started nesting.