Common Emerald Dove

Chalcophaps indica

Family: Doves and Pigeons · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 23–27 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Resident across South and Southeast Asia, from the Indian subcontinent and eastern Himalayas to southern China, through Indochina and the Thai-Malay Peninsula, the Philippines, Indonesia, and western New Guinea.

Identification

Male has bright white crown which turns grey towards the nape, bronzy green mantle and wings with white shoulder patch, vinous breast and neck, and bright orange-red bill. Female resembles male but has limited grey on head that is typically limited to the forehead, mud-brown overall with no white shoulder patch. Juvenile is duller brown with rufous tips to coverts and flight feathers and variable bronzy green upperparts.

Habitat

Secondary forest and forest edges, mangroves, and coastal woodlands.

Behaviour

Forages alone or in pairs for seeds, fruits, and insects on the forest floor or trails beneath dense canopy.