SPOTTED DOVE
SPOTTED DOVE (Spilopelia chinensis) – (See images below)
DESCRIPTION: The Spotted Dove is a grey-blue bird with two black patches on each side of the neck, with white spots (hence the name). The breast and under parts are pinkish grey. The tail is long and pointed and the tip is white. The bill is grey and the legs and feet are pink. The iris is orange. Sexes are similar, and juveniles have duller colors and no neck spots. The bird is about 12 inches (30 cm) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Spilopelia-chinensis
NAME: The English names ‘Dove’ means ‘to dive’, in reference to the bird’s irregular flight. The Latin genus name ‘Spilopelia’ is from Greek and means ‘spotted’ ‘dove’, and the species name refers to China.
HABITAT: In its native range, this dove is found in forests, around farms and scrublands, and urban environments. Where introduced it is sometimes competing with native doves for territory and food.
DIET: Forages on the ground for seeds.
NESTING: Spotted doves build their nests in a tree, from sticks shaped into a loose structure. Two white eggs are laid and the chicks are fed ‘crop milk’ at first.
DISTRIBUTION: The Spotted dove is native to India and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced in other parts of the world, including Hawaii in the 1800s, Australia and New Zealand (see references below).
ON HAWAII: This bird is widespread in cities in Hawaii, where it can be seen with zebra doves and pigeons, foraging on grasses and searching for food scraps.
CONSERVATION: The spotted dove is not considered at risk due to its large population and its widespread range.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Eastern Turtle Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove
REFERENCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_dove
http://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/spotted-dove
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/spotted-dove
http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/spotted-dove
This spotted dove filmed below came to me, which was a bit surprising because usually these birds walk away if we try to approach them. The other species seen at the end of the video is a Red-vented Bulbul:
DESCRIPTION: The Spotted Dove is a grey-blue bird with two black patches on each side of the neck, with white spots (hence the name). The breast and under parts are pinkish grey. The tail is long and pointed and the tip is white. The bill is grey and the legs and feet are pink. The iris is orange. Sexes are similar, and juveniles have duller colors and no neck spots. The bird is about 12 inches (30 cm) long.
VOICE: https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Spilopelia-chinensis
NAME: The English names ‘Dove’ means ‘to dive’, in reference to the bird’s irregular flight. The Latin genus name ‘Spilopelia’ is from Greek and means ‘spotted’ ‘dove’, and the species name refers to China.
HABITAT: In its native range, this dove is found in forests, around farms and scrublands, and urban environments. Where introduced it is sometimes competing with native doves for territory and food.
DIET: Forages on the ground for seeds.
NESTING: Spotted doves build their nests in a tree, from sticks shaped into a loose structure. Two white eggs are laid and the chicks are fed ‘crop milk’ at first.
DISTRIBUTION: The Spotted dove is native to India and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced in other parts of the world, including Hawaii in the 1800s, Australia and New Zealand (see references below).
ON HAWAII: This bird is widespread in cities in Hawaii, where it can be seen with zebra doves and pigeons, foraging on grasses and searching for food scraps.
CONSERVATION: The spotted dove is not considered at risk due to its large population and its widespread range.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Eastern Turtle Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove
REFERENCES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_dove
http://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/spotted-dove
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/spotted-dove
http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/spotted-dove
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| Spotted dove, Fort DeRussy Park, Oahu |
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| Spotted dove showing spotted neck |