Common Emerald Dove

Scientific Name: Chalcophaps indica
Malay Name: Punai-Tanah Biasa
Chinese Name: 绿翅金鸠
Alternative Name(s): Green-winged Pigeon

Range:
Found from the Indian subcontinent to southern China, Southeast Asia and northern Australia

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: indica, robinsoni, maxima, augusta, natalis, minima.

Local Subspecies: indica

Size: 23-27 cm

Identification:
Male has blue-grey crown and nape, unmistakable metallic green mantle and wings with white shoulder-patch, white forehead and eyebrow and red bill. Female resembles male but has less grey on head and no white on wings. Juvenile has speckly brown mantle with very light greenish wash on wings.

Habitat: Forest, mangroves and coastal woodlands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Forages on the ground along trails under tree cover.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Sungei Buloh and Pulau Ubin.

Female Common Emerald Dove at Rifle Range Link. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Female Common Emerald Dove at Rifle Range Link. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Common Emerald Dove at SBWR. Photo Credit: Francis Yap