Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

What Is the Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove?

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur chalcospilos) is a small, beautiful dove belonging to the family Columbidae, which includes pigeons and doves. It was first described by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1827. The species name chalcospilos is derived from the Greek chalkos meaning "bronze" or "copper" and spilos meaning "spot", referring to the distinctive metallic spots on the wings.

This species is also known as the Green-spotted Dove. It is a common resident across much of sub-Saharan Africa, found in dry woodland, savanna, and scrubland habitats. It is often seen foraging on the ground in pairs or small groups, searching for seeds and berries.

It is closely related to other members of the genus Turtur, including the Blue-spotted Wood-Dove and the Tambourine Dove. Despite its name, it is not a true wood dove in the sense of the genus Columba but belongs to the African wood-dove group.

How to Identify an Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is a distinctive and beautiful bird, easily recognised by its small size, colouration, and the striking green spots on its wings. Here are its key identifying features:

• Size: A small dove, measuring 20-23 cm (8-9 in) in length and weighing 65-85 g (2.3-3.0 oz).
• Plumage: Brownish-grey upperparts and pinkish-brown underparts, with a distinctive pinkish breast and belly.
• Wing spots: Two rows of striking green or emerald spots with metallic iridescence on the wing coverts – the most distinctive feature.
• Neck: A distinctive black and white striped patch on the side of the neck.
• Tail: Dark with white tips on the outer tail feathers, visible in flight.
• Bill: Dark with a reddish base.
• Legs: Reddish.
• Eyes: Dark.
• Female: Similar to male but slightly paler and with less distinct markings.
• Juvenile: Duller overall, lacking the glossy wing spots and neck patches.

Distinguishing from Similar Species

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove can be distinguished from the Blue-spotted Wood-Dove by its green (not blue) wing spots. The Tambourine Dove is smaller and has a different pattern on the wings. The Namaqua Dove is smaller and has a distinctive black band across the chest.

Behavior & Social Life

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is a shy and unobtrusive bird, often seen in pairs or small groups. It is most active during the early morning and late afternoon.

Foraging Behavior

• Ground feeding: The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove spends much of its time on the ground, foraging for seeds, berries, and small fruits.
• Dietary habits: In addition to plant material, it also takes some insects, particularly termites, which are an important protein source.
• Water dependence: Like all doves, it requires regular access to water and drinks by immersing its bill and sucking.

Vocalization

• Call: The call is a soft, melancholic, repeated "coo-coo-coo," often described as a slow, mournful sound that carries through the woodland.
• Song: The song is a series of low, penetrating, far-carrying notes, often repeated for long periods.

Habitat & Distribution

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is found in a variety of dry and wooded habitats across sub-Saharan Africa.

Key habitat types include:

• Dry woodland – particularly miombo and mopane woodland.
• Savanna – with scattered trees and bushes.
• Scrubland – and thickets.
• Riverine forest – along watercourses.

Distribution: The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove has an extremely large range, with an Extent of Occurrence of approximately 15,300,000 km². It is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegambia in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and southwards to South Africa.

Tanzania Distribution

In Tanzania, the Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is found in dry woodland, savanna, and scrubland across the country. It has been recorded in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park.

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove in Tanzania

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is a beautiful and gentle bird of Tanzania's woodlands and savannas. Here are the best locations to see it:

Safari Methods

• Game drives in dry woodland, savanna, and scrubland areas.
• Birdwatching – look for the small brownish dove with distinctive green wing spots, often seen on the ground or perched in trees.
• Wildlife photography – the Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove's beautiful wing spots and gentle nature make it a charming photographic subject.
• Listen for calls – the soft, melancholic "coo-coo-coo" call is often the first indication of its presence.

Best Time to See Them

Emerald-spotted Wood-Doves are resident year-round in suitable habitat. They are most active during the cooler morning and evening hours. The dry season (June to October) is generally best for wildlife viewing.

Diet & Feeding

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is primarily a granivore, with a diet consisting mainly of seeds and berries.

Food Sources

• Seeds: A variety of seeds from grasses and other plants.
• Berries and fruits: Small fruits and berries from shrubs and trees.
• Insects: Particularly termites, which are an important protein source, especially during the breeding season.

Feeding Behavior

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove forages on the ground, often in pairs or small groups. It uses its bill to pick seeds and berries from the surface of the soil or from low vegetation.

Breeding & Life Cycle

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds.

Nesting

• Breeding season: Typically during the rainy season, from November to May in East Africa.
• Nest site: A flimsy nest of twigs and rootlets built in a tree or bush, usually 1-5 metres above the ground.
• Nest construction: Both sexes build the nest, which is a loose platform of twigs.
• Clutch: 1 to 2 creamy white eggs.
• Incubation: 13 to 15 days, shared by both parents.

Chicks

Chicks are altricial (born helpless with down feathers). Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating crop milk and seeds. Young fledge at 14 to 16 days old.

Conservation Status

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Population: The global population has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. The population trend is stable.

Justification: This species has an extremely large range (15,300,000 km²) and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion.

Threats: While the species is not currently threatened globally, local threats may include habitat loss through deforestation and agricultural expansion.

Comparisons

The Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove is sometimes confused with other doves. Here are the key differences:

Did You Know?

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Further Reading

• BirdLife International – Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove: IUCN Red List assessment, Least Concern status, range 15,300,000 km².
• Wikipedia – Emerald-spotted wood-dove: Description, distribution, habitat, diet, breeding, conservation.
• eBird – Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove: Identification, distribution, sightings.
• Avibase – Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove: Taxonomy, subspecies, distribution.
• Birds of the World – Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove: Introduction, identification, habitat, behavior, breeding.
• Oiseaux.net – Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove: Photo records from Tanzania.
• South African National Biodiversity Institute – Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove: Conservation status, threats, research.