Saturday we had friends over from Long Beach and while eating dinner, we were barraged by the “singing” of a dove.
Very loudly and constantly. I wondered how a bird could sing that much for that length of time. Do doves ever have throat issues? Lose their voice? Sing a different song?
To add to the problem, the bird was sitting on the top of our chimney cap, so the song was reverberating through the house … as if the bird was singing over a PA system.
I finally went outside to see this singing wonder only to discover two of them. Singing back and forth. Explaining part of the mystery of how a dove could sing so much, and possibly that this was the only duet they knew at the time.
My friend said he would take a BB gun and shoot them. I have shot birds in my life, but always to eat them. Not just because they were a nuisance. Well, except for some crows over in Long Beach, but I don’t think I ever actually hit one. BB guns are not very accurate at those distances.
But doves? Shoot a dove just because the bird is singing, albeit constantly and I was tiring of the song … sort of like being on “It’s a Small World” all day long? After all, the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove in the Bible. What if????
Too, I have read (or heard, can’t remember which) these birds are monogamous. Meaning in their life time, they only have one gamous. But there is a point to be made . . .
Just because I am annoyed with the song, do I shoot the birds and possibly break up a bird marriage? What if Junior is back at home waiting for mom and dad. Worse, what if mom and dad decide to move Junior to our house? What if Junior is just one of several offspring and they all think they can sing? This is becoming more complicated by the moment.
To kill or not to kill. Life has so many tough choices.
A 12 guage takes care of both of them and you have two dove for the bbq.
[This is southern Kalifornia ... people out here frown on shooting a gun in public. Unless, of course, you live in certain neighborhoods of South Central LA (which we don't) and then it is not only expected, but mandatory.]
If the bird was an angry crow on top of your chimney would you have the same moral dilemma? BB guns are okay, but I find nothing as effective as actually getting out a ladder and climbing on top of the roof to personally go after the offending fowl. That way when it flies up in your face and you flail your arms around your head, lose your balance and fall off the roof you have a better story to tell. Or you could just get used to it.
[If I thought I could get a good blog, it just might be worth a try.]
If you shoot the dove, you will have bad luck for the next 10 years. Just for starters, your wife will be barren, your dog will get fleas, your crops will fail, your roof will leak, you will have a flat tire, and you will go bald. Do NOT shoot the dove.
[With this list and my age, I don't see any downside other than the roof leaking. I'm pretty much experiencing the rest of it.]
Doves, of course, are a sign that your house is a place of peace. The only other thing they leave behind is poo.
Peace.
[Peace I'll take. Chipper the Psycho-pup gives us plenty of poo.]
What kind of doves are they and what kind of singing do they do? All we seem to have around here (and I remember from Texas) are mourning doves, who just sort of softly coo. Is THAT what you’re talking about?
If so, can you not relate – I mean, you’re in the sadness business, being a funeral home director and all. If not, then you need to provide us with some audio of the doves singing so that we may really discern your “problem.”
I mean, either we need to be “sensitized” to your dilemma, or else take up for the poor doves who are only engaging in their God given talent – singing and mating (speculating here a bit, but you brought it up).
Do I sound a little “unsympathetic” do you think? Perhaps I am, seeing as how we chose to forgo the fireplace and chimney in favor of a large HDTV screen built in, from which NO dove sounds emit. Ours (doves) reside peacefully out in the woods surrounding our home and when they do sadly coo, we feel only nostalgia and love for these little creatures of God.
Of course, in your situation – Tom would probably shoot the little critters and we’d have fried dove for breakfast tomorrow with biscuits and gravy. I’ve had fried quail that way, and they were outstanding, besides having to pick out the buckshot!
Cheers!
Dee
[Geeze ... can I have a little compassion here?]
I seem to be behind again, so I shall comment on your last three posts.
First, I’m sorry for the loss of your friend and I’m glad she was able to touch your life in a positive way. Memories can be such a blessing.
Sunday’s a Coming reminds me of how enjoyable things can be when we don’t have to do them all the time. Even if it’s something we chose to do or somehow became obligated to do, burnout will set in if too many other things are demanding our time. Being “lost in the mystery of God” is a good place to be. Today’s devotional in “Jesus Calling” talks about how God is central in our innermost being and how our mind goes off in tangents from its holy Center, time after time. Very apt description, at least for me.
Rut row….Sounds like you had a great time with Steven. I’m not sure, did you get to meet with Jennifer and see the game too? I got the flight days mixed up.
I had to laugh at the “Grindaddy” and Jackson’s love for Steven. Share the love…you will always be Jackson’s Grindaddy, those are hard shoes to fill.
Now on to “Kill or not to Kill”. My answer is NO!! I love all kinds of birds and trees, really I guess I just LOVE nature. And, when the hearing starts to go…you will miss those sounds
[Thanks, Janice. I actually don't mind the singing of doves. I talked with my neighbor and asked if I could get on his roof and put some Dove feed on his chimney cap. He said those birds were on his roof for two weeks. WEre I to lose my hearing, I would miss the song of those birds!]
If you shot everything that sang until you were annoyed, how many American Idol contestants and southern church song leaders would be left in this world?
[That's a good point!]
No Southern Church leaders in the CofC here in the heart of Dixie would survive. But man it would be fun just to use a BB gun on a few of them when they annoy me….oh yeah, I ‘m gone!!
[Issues???
]
There came a time when I was disillusioned by bird song – even the most beautiful. It’s more of a “Hey, baby” thing. How interesting that they would roost on your chimney, though, to amplify their singing. Maybe it fascinated them and that’s why they stayed.
Attitude. You can choose to be upset by the cooing of the doves or you can choose to love it and look forward to it. Your choice.
)