Spotted Dove

Spilopelia chinensis

Size: 29 – 32cm

Weight: 140 – 160g

Found: The spotted dove in its native range in Asia is found across a range of habitats including woodland, scrub, farmland and habitation. These doves are mostly found on the ground where they forage for seeds and grain or on low vegetation.

Description: The ground colour of this long and slim dove is rosy buff below shading grey on the head and belly. There is a half collar on the back and sides of the neck made of black feathers that bifurcate and have white spots at the two tips. The back has brown feathers with rufous spots in the Indian and subspecies. The lesser median coverts are grey brown. The Indian populations have these coverts with rosy spots at the tip divided by a widening dark grey streak along the shaft. The primary coverts are dark brown.

The wing feathers are dark brown with grey edges. The centre of the abdomen and vent are white. The outer tail feathers are tipped in white and become visible when the bird takes off. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults and do not acquire the neck spots until they are mature.

Diet: These doves are mostly found on the ground where they forage for seeds and grain or on low vegetation.

Comments: Their habit of flushing into the air when disturbed makes them a hazard on airfields, often colliding with aircraft and sometimes causing damage.