Compared to the Red-eyed dove, the Laughing dove appears small. However, it measures 25 cm in length and seems to be the most common pigeon in Ghana. The Latin family name Spilopelia is relatively new. It was changed from Streptopelia after molecular studies as late as in 2001. That it was allowed to retain the epithet "senegalensis" feels almost ironic. Although it was first reported from Senegal (like a good amount of other species found in Ghana), it is widespread and the habitat extends over large parts of Africa and all the way to the Middle East and India. In Ghana, we saw it almost daily in different environments, not least in urban areas.