photo - Emerald Dove, with brown breast, head feather, green wing feathers, with orange bill, sitting on a branch

Dove, Grey-capped Emerald

CLASSIFICATION
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Chalcophaps
Species: indica

RANGE
Commonly found in parts of southeast Asia (Nepal, southern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam), Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines.

HABITAT
Reside primarily in tropical forests, woodlands and mangroves.

SIZE
Length: 9-11 inches

LIFE EXPECTANCY
5-12 years

REPRODUCTION

  • Can live singly, in pairs or in small groups.
  • Males perform a “bobbing” dance during courtship.
  • Builds scant stick nests in trees.
  • Lays 2 cream-colored eggs.

DIET
Wild: Fruit, seeds and plants.

BEHAVIOR

Grey-capped emerald doves are primarily terrestrial and known to be fairly tame. They have a distinctive coo that they emit 6-7 times in a row.

POINTS OF INTEREST

  • Goes by various names including the common emerald dove and the Asian emerald dove.
  • Although they don’t fly often, they are known to be exceptional weavers when flying through forests.

STATUS
Least Concern