Spotted dove

A delightful bird with a calm and peaceful nature

Lip Kee


Spotted dove

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A delightful bird with a calm and peaceful nature

Population

A gentle and beautiful bird that is commonly found in Asia, particularly in India, Southeast Asia, and China, though it has also spread to other parts of the world, including Australia and the Pacific Islands. This dove is easy to recognize by its soft, cooing call and its distinctive appearance. It has a slender body, a long tail, and soft, pale brown feathers that are slightly pinkish on the chest. The bird gets its name from the distinctive black and white spots on the back of its neck, which form a sort of collar. These spots give the spotted dove a unique and elegant look.

One of the most charming features of the spotted dove is its gentle and peaceful demeanor. These birds are often seen alone or in pairs, calmly walking on the ground or perched in trees. They feed mainly on seeds, which they pick up from the ground, but they will also eat small fruits and insects if they find them. Their diet makes them common visitors to gardens and parks, where they can often be seen pecking around for food. Because they are not aggressive and tend to move slowly and quietly, they are easy to approach, making them a favorite among birdwatchers.

Spotted doves are also known for their sweet, melodious cooing, which is a familiar sound in many parts of the world. The cooing is usually a sign of contentment or a way to communicate with other doves. During the breeding season, males will coo more frequently as they try to attract a mate. The courtship display of the Spotted Dove is simple but endearing. The male will puff up his chest, fan out his tail, and bow to the female while cooing softly. If the female is interested, she will respond by allowing the male to preen her feathers.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Australia
2016
Introduced
Bangladesh
2016
Brunei
2016
Cambodia
2016
China
10,000-100,000 pairs
Official estimate
LC
2016
East Timor
2016
Fiji
2016
Introduced
India
2016
Indonesia
2016
Laos
2016
Malaysia
2016
Maldives
2016
Mauritius
2016
Introduced
Mexico
2016
Introduced
Myanmar
2016
New Caledonia
2016
Introduced
New Zealand
2016
Introduced
Papua New Guinea
2016
Introduced
Philippines
2016
Singapore
2016
Taiwan
10,000-100,000 pairs
Official estimate
LC
Thailand
2016
US Virgin Islands
2016
Possibly Extinct, Introduced
United States
2016
Introduced
Vietnam
2016

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock

Diet: Carnivore / Frugivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No