Spotted Dove

Spotted Dove

Spotted turtle-dove, Mountain dove, Pearl-necked dove, Lace-necked dove

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Spilopelia chinensis
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
8 years
Weight
160
6
goz
g oz 
Length
28-32
11-12.6
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
43-48
16.9-18.9
cminch
cm inch 

The Spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small pigeon that is a common across its native range on the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. These birds are also called the Mountain dove, Pearl-necked dove, Lace-necked dove, and Spotted turtle-dove.

Appearance

The ground color of this long and slim dove is rosy buff below shading into 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 median coverts have brown feathers tipped with rufous spots in the Indian and Sri Lankan subspecies which are divided at the tip by a widening grey shaft streak. The wing feathers are dark brown with grey edges. The center of the abdomen and vent are white. The outer tail feathers are tipped in white and become visible when the bird takes off. The male and the female are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults and do not acquire the neck spots until they are mature.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Spotted doves are widely distributed in southern Asia, from Sri Lanka and India, east to south China, and southwest Asia. These birds are often found near human habitation, and they live in mountains, open woodlands, scrub, farmland, gardens, and urban areas. In India, they prefer moister regions.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Spotted doves are usually seen in small flocks or pairs, foraging on the ground or perching in trees and on telephone wires. They have a rapid, powerful, and direct flight, but when leaving a perch to feed on the ground, they often glide down quietly. When not displaying, they will perch and call 'cuk cuk coorrr', the female’s call being quieter. Mated birds will preen each other (called allopreening), especially around their head and neck. Any aggressive behavior is usually accompanied by a threatening 'kirr' call, and this can escalate into a physical confrontation involving the slapping of wings. When disturbed, the Spotted dove rises quickly and heads for leafy cover.

Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Spotted doves are primarily herbivores (granivores). They eat seeds and grains and may supplement their diet with insects.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round, peak in September-December
INCUBATION PERIOD
14-16 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
2 weeks
FEMALE NAME
hen
MALE NAME
cock
BABY NAME
squab, chick
web.animal_clutch_size
1-2 eggs

Spotted doves are monogamous breeders. This means that both the male and the female have only one partner. They breed throughout the year, with most activity being from September to December. A male will perform a display flight, a steep rising flight accompanied by loud wing-clapping. When he gets to about 30 or 40 m in the air, he spreads his wings and tail and glides back down to a perch. He will also walk in front of a female, fluffing up the black and white patch on his neck, while bowing his head up and down. The adults build the nest together in a bush or tree, near an open area. The nest is a platform of loosely combined twigs, grasses, and roots. 1 or 2 slightly glossy white eggs are laid. Incubation is for around 14 to 16 days, by both parents. The altricial chicks are covered sparsely with pale down when they hatch. For the first week, their parents look after them continuously. Young fledge when they are about 2 weeks old, and their parents immediately begin a new clutch.

Population

Population threats

Spotted doves are vulnerable to habitat loss from human developments, and also to agricultural herbicides and trapping in some countries for the pet trade.

Population number

According to IUCN, the Spotted dove is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. However, national population sizes for the species are estimated for China at 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs, and for Taiwan at 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs. Overall, currently Spotted doves are classified as Least Concern (LC) and their numbers today are increasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • A dove has special feathers on its body, which disintegrate to produce a sort of powder, for cleaning and lubricating the other feathers.
  • A Spotted dove produces “pigeon milk”. This is produced during the nesting season in the crop by special glands, which secrete a thick milky substance. Chicks eat this crop milk, by poking their bills into their parents’ throats.
  • Doves drink by sucking and don’t have to tilt their head back to swallow.
  • Spotted doves were introduced into Melbourne, Australia in the 1860s, spreading since then, often replacing native doves.

References

1. Spotted Dove Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_dove
2. Spotted Dove on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/60482887/0
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/684741

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