Behavioural and morphological characteristics of white doves in Osmaniye, Turkey identify the population as laughing doves (Streptopelia senegalensis)

Abstract

Observation of an unusual population of white-plumaged doves in Osmaniye suggests that these birds are conspecific with the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis, Linnaeus, 1766) population in the town. The white-morph is not found outside the urban area. Aside from colouration, the white doves shared identical morphological characteristics with wild-type brown Laughing Doves. Additionally, the white doves and wild-type Laughing Doves formed mixed flocks and readily paired. Based on the observations of four inter-morph pairings, the white morph appears to be a recessive, single autosomal locus mutation. It appears that the white colouration may have originated from one or more hybridization events between Laughing Doves and feral white Barbary Doves (Streptopelia risoria). This study not only identifies an anomalous population of birds in an urban setting, but highlights the importance of traditional knowledge in understanding biodiversity.