Emerald Dove
1. Bird Name:
English name: Emerald Dove
Scientific (Latin) name: Chalcophaps indica
2. Appearance:
The Emerald Dove, as its name suggests, sports an enchanting hue of emerald green on its wings. This shimmering green contrasts against their glistening chestnut-colored body, making this bird visually striking. The chest is also speckled with white, and there’s a splash of gray on the back. Their bill is bright yellow-orange, complimented with compact slaty grey feet. The males are easily distinguished from females by their white patches on the edge of the shoulders and the brighter green wings.
3. Size:
On average, the Emerald Dove measures between 23 to 28 cm (9 to 11 inches) in length. Its wingspan usually ranges around 40 to 42 centimeters, making the bird similar in size to a medium-sized pigeon. Adult males typically weigh between 98 to 113 grams whereas females range from 101 to 145 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution:
Emerald Doves are found across Asia and Australasia, ranging from countries like India, China, and Indonesia to Australia. These birds have a preference for tropical and subtropical regions, residing in forests, woods, and mangrove swamps.
5. Interesting Facts:
Emerald Doves are very shy and often live alone or in pairs, making them challenging to spot for birdwatchers. While they’re not migratory birds, they are known to travel considerable distances in search of food. In Hinduism, the Emerald Dove is a symbol of love and is said to be a messenger of the god of love, Kamadeva.
6. Diet:
Emerald Doves have a diet primarily comprised of seeds, fruits, and berries. However, they may also eat small invertebrates, such as snails and insects.
7. Behavior & Sounds:
Emerald Doves typically breed between September and November, laying 2 small white eggs in nests built from twigs. They exhibit unique behaviors such as alighting swiftly on the ground to forage for food, before quickly retreating to the safety of trees. Their call is a rather soft and gentle cooing sound, usually repeated several times.
8. Conservation Status:
According to the IUCN Red List, the Emerald Dove is of “Least Concern.” They are widespread throughout their distribution range and are relatively common within suitable habitats.
9. Lifespan:
The lifespan of the Emerald Dove varies between their living in captivity and the wild. Typically in the wild, they can live up to 8 to 10 years. However, in captivity with a protected environment and expert care, these birds have been known to live as long as 15 years.
10. Additional Notes:
In India, the Emerald Dove is often referred to as the “Green Dove” in many local languages owing to its sparkling green wings. In Australia, it’s known by indigenous people as “Meeking” or “Tileah.” Emerald Doves play a crucial ecological role in seed distribution, contributing to the regrowth of forests. Furthermore, their foraging behavior helps control the population of small invertebrates.
Even though Emerald Doves are quite tolerant of human activities such as logging and agriculture, they are hunted widely for meat and for cage-bird trade, making them vulnerable to population decline.
Happy bird-watching!
