Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
Turtur chalcospilos
Woodland. Emerald-green spots on the wings; double black bars on the back; rufous flight feathers.
Doves, Pigeons
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Very common resident. Apart from green wing-spots (when seen in good light), differs from [Blue-spotted Wood-Dove] in all-dark, reddish bill and greyer upper parts. Typical wood-dove flight pattern distinctive (see illustration) but not diagnostic. The well-known call is a soft, descending cooing ‘du, du… du-du… du-du-dudu-du-du-du…’ tailing off at the end. Occurs in woodland, bushveld, riparian forests and coastal bush. When flushed, rises abruptly and makes off at speed.
Quick Facts
Size
20 cm - M
Names
A: Groenvlekduifie
Z: isiKhombazane-sehlanze
G: Bronzeflecktaube
Bird Family
A well-known group of mostly seed-eating, terrestrial (except for the arboreal fruit-feeding pigeons) birds that build flimsy stick platform nests in trees. The distinction between pigeons and doves is ill-defined: larger species tend to be called pigeons, smaller ones doves. Immatures are dull versions of the adults. Many species become very common and tame near human habitation.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs in woodland, bushveld, riparian 'forest's and coastal bush.
