Spotted dove

The spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small long-tailed pigeon that is a common and native to the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. The species has been introduced to many parts of the world and feral populations have become established.

Spotted dove
S. c. suratensis in India
S. c. tigrina (tigrina) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Spilopelia
Species:	S. chinensis
Binomial name
Spilopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1768)
Subspecies
See text
Synonyms
Streptopelia chinensis Stigmatopelia chinensis Turtur suratensis

This species was formerly included in the genus Streptopelia with other turtle-doves, but studies suggest that they differ from typical members of that genus. This dove is long tailed buff brown with a white-spotted black collar patch on the back and sides of the neck. The tail tips are white and the wing coverts have light buff spots.

There are considerable plumage variations across populations within its wide range. The species is found in light forests and gardens as well as in urban areas. They fly from the ground with an explosive flutter and will sometimes glide down to a perch. It is also called the mountain dove, pearl-necked dove, lace-necked dove, and spotted turtle-dove.

Spotted Dove Media

• 

  Bifid neck feather of Spilopelia chinensis

• 

  Flying over Bang Pa-In Palace, Thailand

• 

  S. c. suratensis with a hatchling and egg at nest

Other Websites

• Xeno-canto: audio recordings of the spotted dove
• Photographs and other media on the Internet Bird Collection
• Pigeon taxonomy
• Spotted Dove Photos (Dark Mutation)