Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
Turtur chalcospilos
A small, dainty, pinkish-fawn, ground-dwelling dove with an all-dark bill and two rows of iridescent green spots on the wing. In flight it reveals bright rufous wings and three gray bands: two across the back and one across the tail. A common but inconspicuous resident of drier savanna and thickets. Melancholic song is similar to that of other wood-doves. The similar Blue-spotted Wood-Dove differs by having a reddish bill with yellow tip, by having iridescent blue spots on the wing, and by preferring moister wooded habitats.
Identification
The emerald-spotted wood dove is a small plump pigeon, typically 20 cm in length. Its back, hindneck, wings, and tail are pale grey-brown, and the folded wings have green metallic patches. There are blackish bands on the lower back and tail. The forehead, crown, and nape are bluish-grey, fading to pinkish-grey on the throat. The underparts are mauve-pink, becoming whiter on the belly.<p>The bill of this dove is blackish with a red base. The sexes are similar, but the female may be slightly duller than the male. The immature has duller green spots and buff fringes to the feathers. When flying, the black-billed wood dove is told from this species by its bright chestnut underwings.<p>The call is in three parts: two soft long coos, followed by a series of slow descending coos lasting 10 seconds, and concluding with 4 seconds of rapid coos, which decrease in volume.<p>This species shows some geographical variation in plumage, but differences are clinal, and emerald-spotted wood dove is now considered to be monotypic.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Turtur chalcospilos
- Authority
- (Wagler, 1827)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Turtur
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The emerald-spotted wood dove builds a flimsy stick nest in a tree or shrub, and lays two cream-coloured eggs. Both sexes incubate for 13–17 days to hatching, and feed the squabs for 13–17 days to fledging. Many young birds are taken by mongooses and shrikes.<p>The emerald-spotted wood dove is not gregarious, but flocks may form at waterholes. This species usually forages on the ground for grass and other small seeds.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Papyrus Yellow-Warbler
Calamonastides gracilirostris
Mid-sized, long-billed warbler, with rich yellow underparts and an olive-green back. The underparts often show an orange tint. Found in papyrus swamp. Very localized and poorly known species. The song consists of simple repeated phrases and is easily missed. Other yellow-warblers are similar but have different songs, lack orange tones to the underparts, and are found in different habitats.
New Zealand Bellbird
Anthornis melanura
A medium-sized nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Note yellowish-green plumage, blackish wings and tail, and red eyes. Male has purple tints on his head. Female browner, with a bluish gloss on the head. Juveniles show a clear yellowish cheek stripe. Widespread in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Favors native and exotic forest, scrub, and urban parks and gardens. Listen for its melodious song consisting of a series of tuneful notes. Alarm call is a harsh, rapidly repeated “yeng.” Distinguished from European Greenfinch by lack of a pale, conical bill and larger size. Listen for lack of grunts, wheezes, and clicks to distinguish song from that of Tui.
White-tipped Sicklebill
Eutoxeres aquila
This streaky hummingbird has a remarkably decurved bill like a Velociraptor claw. The bill shape alone distinguishes it from all hummingbirds except the very similar Buff-tailed Sicklebill, which only overlaps in some areas of the range. Look at the tail pattern to separate the two species: White-tipped is well-named with only white tips on the tail feathers, while Buff-tailed has more extensive buff on the outer tail feathers. Sicklebills are most often seen feeding on Heliconia flowers in the dark forest understory; they’re generally uncommon and fast-moving, difficult to get a look at. Does not visit feeders.
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