Common Emerald Dove Species Information

The Common Emerald Dove is a stunning bird species found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.

This dove is relatively small, measuring around 25-27 centimeters in length.

Their plumage is a beautiful shade of emerald green, with a distinctive black neck patch and a pinkish-brown face.

They are known to inhabit dense forests and woodlands, where they forage for seeds, fruits, and insects.

A fresh viewpoint: Dove Soap

The common emerald dove's taxonomy has undergone significant changes over the years. In 1743, English naturalist George Edwards included a picture and description of the species in his book A Natural History of Uncommon Birds, using the English name "Green Wing'd Dove".

Edwards' drawing was made from a live bird at a merchant's home in Rotherhithe, near London, and he was told the dove had come from the East Indies. Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish naturalist, updated his Systema Naturae in 1758, placing the common emerald dove with other pigeons in the genus Columba.

Related reading: Mindanao Bleeding Heart Dove

Linnaeus coined the binomial name Columba indica and cited Edwards' work, noting that the specific epithet indica is Latin for "Indian" and refers to the East Indies. Today, the species is placed in the genus Chalcophaps, introduced by English ornithologist John Gould in 1843.

There are six recognized subspecies of the common emerald dove. Here are the details:

The common emerald dove is a stocky, medium-sized pigeon, typically 23-27 cm in length. The back and wings are bright emerald green.

The flight feathers and tail are blackish, and broad black and white bars show on the lower back in flight. The head and underparts are dark vinous pink, fading to greyish on the lower belly. The eyes are dark brown, the bill bright red and legs and feet rufous.

The male has a white patch on the edge of the shoulders and a grey crown, which the female lacks. Females will tend to have a browner complexion with a grey mark on the shoulder.

If this caught your attention, see: White Breasted Nuthatch Size

Here are some key physical characteristics of the common emerald dove:

In terms of behavior, emerald doves are quite terrestrial, often searching for fallen fruit on the ground and spending little time in trees except when roosting. They eat seeds and fruits of a wide variety of plants and are generally tame and approachable.

The common emerald dove is a stocky, medium-sized pigeon, typically 23-27 cm in length.

Their bright emerald green back and wings are one of their most distinctive features, making them a joy to spot in the wild.

The flight feathers and tail are blackish, and broad black and white bars show on the lower back in flight, giving them a unique appearance.

Their head and underparts are dark vinous pink, fading to greyish on the lower belly.

The eyes are dark brown, and the bill is a bright red, adding to their striking appearance.

The male has a white patch on the edge of the shoulders and a grey crown, which the female lacks.

Females tend to have a browner complexion with a grey mark on the shoulder, making them slightly easier to tell apart from males.

Immature birds resemble females but have brown scallops on their body and wing plumage, helping to identify them as juveniles.

Suggestion: Raphus Cucullatus

Emerald doves are quite terrestrial, often searching for fallen fruit on the ground and spending little time in trees except when roosting.

They eat seeds and fruits of a wide variety of plants and are generally tame and approachable.

Their flight is fast and direct, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general.

In fact, they're particularly good weavers when flying through forests, exposing a buff underwing and a chestnut colour of their flight feathers.

The call of the Emerald dove is a low soft moaning cooing consisting of about six to seven coos, starting quietly and rising.

The Common Emerald Dove is a bird that thrives in tropical forests.

It's also commonly found in dense wet woodlands, farms, and mangroves.

In fact, it builds its nest in a tree up to five metres high, using sticks.

The nest is a scant stick nest, which means it's not very elaborate, but it gets the job done.

The dove lays two cream-coloured eggs, which is a typical clutch size for this species.

It appreciates the cover of dense foliage, which makes it a great fit for the tropical forests and mangroves it calls home.

For your interest: Common Yellowthroat Nest

The Common Emerald Dove can be confused with other dove species, but its bright emerald green wings and red bill are distinctive features that aid in its identification.

It's worth noting that the Common Emerald Dove is relatively easy to spot due to its vibrant plumage.

Conservation efforts are necessary to protect the Common Emerald Dove and its habitats, but specific information on conservation status is not provided in the article.

The Common Emerald Dove is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, which means it's not currently at significant risk of decline.

This classification is a positive sign for the species, indicating that conservation efforts are effectively protecting its population.

The Common Emerald Dove can be confused with other dove species. However, its bright emerald green wings and red bill are distinctive features that aid in its identification.

The Ruddy Ground Dove and the Barred Emerald Dove share similarities with the Common Emerald Dove. But they have different markings and plumage that set them apart.

The Red-billed Dove has a similar red bill to the Common Emerald Dove, but its overall coloration is more subdued. It lacks the vibrant green wings of the Common Emerald Dove.

It's essential to note that the Common Emerald Dove's unique features make it easier to identify in the wild.

The common emerald dove is a widespread resident breeding pigeon native to the tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

This bird is also known by several other names, including Asian emerald dove and grey-capped emerald dove.

The common emerald dove is the state bird of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which is a significant honor for this species.

The dove is a relatively small bird, but it's a striking sight to see it fly, especially in its natural habitat.

Additional reading: Black Capped Chickadee Photos