The Spotted Dove is a passerine that are resident to a wide range. Earning their name for their distinct spots behind their neck, resembling a necklace of sorts, Spotted Doves have spread from the Indian subcontinent to North America, finding homes in California and Hawaii. They can be found foraging on the ground in farmland, groves, and well-watered suburban areas.
About Spotted Doves
A rather stocky and long dove with multiple variations in vocalizations, they can be easily told apart by their dull feathers and unique nape patch. Spotted Doves were introduced to many parts of the world although they are native to Southern Asia, making them a very interesting species to study in the context of invasion and naturalization for researchers.
● Spotted Dove Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● Spotted Dove Size, Eating Behavior, Habitat
● Spotted Dove Range and Migration, Nesting
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Spotted Dove Color Pattern
Spotted Doves sport rosy, buff-colored feathers that shade into grays and browns. The tips of their feathers are rufous, offering the bird some dimension. The nape patch consists of small spots that are black and white, giving them alternate names like “lace-necked dove” and “pearl-necklace dove.” Black feathers bifurcate on the neck and contrast with white spots at the sides. The under portion of this bird is much lighter, with its abdominal region and vent being white. While in the air, the tail feathers open up to reveal white tips, adding grace to the Doves flight. Their cheeks are rather rosy, giving them a blushing effect. Their legs and beaks are black and their eyes bring notice as they are red, with a black center. So far, five subspecies of this songbird have been categorized, showing variation in their color patterns. While individuals found in Sri Lanka have a visible gray shaft streak, the Indian and further west variants show lighter buff coloration on their lesser wing coverts.
Both males and females have similar color patterns, although the beautiful spotted necklace only appears in adults. Juveniles lack the eye-catching nape which is dull gray when immature. Interestingly, leucistic variants are found in the wild, in which the individuals have less intense and distinctive pigmentation.
Description and Identification
The Spotted Dove is a well-recorded bird that is easily distinguishable from their Pigeon and Doves family due to their spotted necks and dark gray and brown feathers. They can be seen on the ground, hopping amongst farmland and low vegetation in search of food. The calls may vary from region to region, but can still be identified by their “coo-coo-coo” or “coo-a-roo” songs. If you hear this call, look for the stocky bird either perched on wires or branches, or on the ground. They can be told apart from other Doves in the family by observing if their nape patch is spotted or full like in Collared Doves.
Spotted Dove Song
Cooing throughout the day, but most frequently in the mornings, Spotted Doves use their singing to advertise themselves for mates, for indicating nesting, and to show excitement. Their emphatic three-syllable “coo, coo-coo-coo”, can be heard above the ambient noises in urban and semi-urban landscapes. As there are five subspecies with appreciable variation, the songs are altered from region to region. Usually, the third syllable is emphasized and
lengthened.
The advertising call of the male is sung from an open, conspicuous perch so as to set up a stage at a spotlight. Some display calls are delivered from the ground, along utility wires or rooftops. They also call as they build nests for their young ones on the ground. However, these doves do not solely rely on vocalizations, but also make clapping sounds from beating their wings quickly while ascending. This wing clapping adds nuance to their display call for sexual behavior.
Spotted Dove Size
A rather small addition to the family of Pigeons and Doves, the Spotted Dove can be more stocky or slim according to its geographic distribution. A trend can be seen where conspecifics in southern parts of India are smaller compared to the nominate subspecies native to China. They are 11.2-12.8 inches in length, and each wing is 5.3-5.7 inches long.
Approximately, they weigh 5-6 ounces.
Spotted Dove Behavior
As their preferred food choices are available on the ground, the Spotted Dove relies on its strong, pink legs to move around and forage. They walk and hop around but do not hesitate to fly up with noisy, fast wingbeats when disturbed. Their flight is irregular with shallow wingbeats, flying usually at a height of 40 feet. Take-offs are a bit messy as they first lift off vertically and use their frantic wingbeats to gain lift and direction. Overall, their flight has a wriggling appearance that may help distinguish them from other pigeons and doves from a large distance. To maintain their hygiene, Spotted Doves take to bathing in the rain. They lean to one side while perching and raise a wing upward to let stormwater clean their feathers. They also preen and scratch their heads and take dips in birdbaths as well. When it is time to rest, these doves roost in trees with thicker canopies for shelter. They tend to roost at night as well as during the hottest parts of the day.
When these birds are disturbed or need to make an escape, they take a stance that involves raising their wings with their feathers upright and spread out. They are usually found in pairs or in small groups but disperse individually when required. These birds are active throughout the day. They start foraging approximately an hour after daybreak and are most definitely involved in finding and consuming food during noon hours.
The sexual behavior of Spotted Doves is not well studied and could use more research. As they are commonly found in pairs, they are assumed to be monogamous, although there is no concrete evidence to confirm this. Their courtship involves displays and calls to advertise themselves, mostly observed in males. Breeding is year-round in warmer climates and spans from September to January in populations in Australia. Currently, there is not much information on the formation of a pair bond and if they exhibit extra-pair copulation.
Spotted Dove Diet
Initially, Spotted Doves were seen to eat a vegetarian diet of small grains, berries, and seeds, but now have also been observed to eat insects. They feed on berries and large seeds of native and exotic plants like passionflower or balsam pear. They also take in small insects like winged termites. They are popular visitors at bird feeders too!
Spotted Dove Habitat
As this species has spread to different regions in the tropics and even some temperate regions, they have inhabited environments that are conducive to their survival. Being introduced to a new region is no easy task for any bird, as competition can increase with native flora and fauna. However, the Spotted Dove has been observed to suit urban
environments as long as there is enough water. They live in tropical woodlands, farmlands, and low scrubs. They prefer areas with low vegetation to forage efficiently. Spotted Doves are a common sight in altered suburban environments as well as in city parks and gardens.
Range and Migration
This species is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including counties like India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and China. However, they have been spread across the globe in the past few centuries. Now, they inhabit Australia, Mauritius, and parts of Northern America like Hawaii and California. Spotted Doves are resident breeding birds that do not migrate for wintering or breeding. Incidentally, the population of Spotted Doves in their non-native range like in the United States, have shown a sharp decline whereas they are still common in their native regions in Asia.
Spotted Dove Lifecycle
Adult Spotted Doves in most regions breed year round as they are not a migratory species of bird. Once they advertise and secure a mate, they build nests for their eggs. One clutch produces two eggs. The eggs are white in color and are incubated by both parents. The parent that is not incubating at the time usually roosts close by to the nest. The eggs hatch after a couple of weeks. Both parents feed the hatchlings with secretions from their regurgitated food called “pigeons’ milk,” nourishing their offspring for a fortnight before the chicks are ready to leave the nest. Much of the Spotted Doves’ development is not known; however, maturing can be identified by the appearance of the hindneck spotted coloration.
Nesting
The nest site is commonly found in large shrubs or trees but is also found on the ground. Presumably constructed by both individuals of a pair, the nest composition includes twigs and spider webs wound together to keep their eggs and hatchlings safe and warm, although the materials are arranged in a loose platform. The male is in charge of establishing the territoriality of the nesting site, often exhibiting aerial and bowing displays to set boundaries.
Anatomy of a Spotted Dove
Spotted Doves are a small member of the Columbidae family. They have rather long tails that are squared off. They have prominent busty chests like other doves but have shorter wings. Their beaks are slim and small yet sharp. Mostly seen hopping around, Spotted Doves have pinkish-red legs and feet that are large and prominent, giving them much
needed strength.
Final Thoughts
The Spotted Dove is an understudied songbird. Although the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as least concerned, the non-native populations have seen a drastic decline. This only emphasizes the importance of their ecology. Being a species that was introduced to different parts of the world, they can be studied to understand the effect of alien species and the tipping point when these alien species become invasive. The Spotted Dove, although alien in North America, Australia and Mauritius, does not seem to be invasive as they have not replaced or heavily competed with the existing ecosystem. Hence, extensive research on these aspects of their lives and their place in ecosystems can tell us more about the delicate and intricate balance of nature.
These formidable birds also have cultural significance. In China and other parts of Southeast Asia, the Spotted Dove is considered a delicacy and reserves a spot on the banquet table. They are hunted in these regions but not in California or Hawaii. These cultural trends when compared to their ecological trends may reveal a bigger picture about how humans and our civilizations interact with bird species. Such a system only draws the curtains on complex and intertwined food webs and chains and gives researchers a more holistic perspective on the studies of invasive species. Hence, protecting and understanding these simple Doves can not only humble us but lead to a plethora of knowledge about how our biosphere works!
Ornithology
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At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.
Bird Watching Binoculars for IdentifyingSpotted Doves
The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Spotted Doves are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.
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Spotted Dove Stickers
Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Spotted Dove. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.
Bird Feeders ForSpotted Doves
There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.
Bird HousesForSpotted Doves
There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. If you spend a little extra money on bird houses, it will be well worth every penny and they’ll look great.