The emerald dove or common emerald dove, also called Asian emerald dove and grey-capped emerald dove, is a widespread resident breeding pigeon native to the tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The dove is also known by the names of green dove and green-winged pigeon. The common emerald dove is the state bird of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Pacific emerald dove and Stephan's emerald dove were both considered conspecific.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from the Indian Subcontinent through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and into Indonesia and the Philippines. It frequents primary and secondary forests, forest edges, mangroves, plantations, and large gardens. The species is chiefly terrestrial, foraging along shaded paths and clearings. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes provided dense cover remains. In many areas it is common in lowlands but also ranges into foothills.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1700 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also known as the Asian or grey-capped emerald dove, it is a ground-loving pigeon with striking iridescent green wings. It is the state bird of Tamil Nadu, India. Males show a distinct white forehead and supercilium, while females are duller and lack the bold facial markings. Formerly lumped with Pacific and Stephan's emerald doves, it is now treated as a separate species.
Male emerald dove
Emerald dove in Sime Forest, Singapore
In flight at Chitwan National Park, Nepal.
Temperament
shy and wary
Flight Pattern
fast, direct flight with whirring wings
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, walking quietly on the forest floor. Nests are flimsy stick platforms placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing, with breeding often peaking after rains. Displays include head-bobbing and wing flicks at close range.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of soft, mournful, repeated cooing notes that carry through dense vegetation. Calls include low coos and a dove-like hoo-hoo sequence; wing-claps and whirring sounds are produced when flushed.
Plumage
Rich chestnut to rufous-brown head and underparts with brilliant metallic emerald-green wings and upperwing coverts; darker flight feathers. Males have a pale grey crown with a crisp white forehead and supercilium; females are browner and duller overall. Both sexes show narrow black-and-white barring on the wings and a contrasting darker tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fallen fruits, berries, and seeds collected from the ground. It also takes small invertebrates such as termites or tiny snails opportunistically. Grit is swallowed to aid digestion. Foraging is deliberate, with frequent pauses to scan for danger.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages on shaded forest trails, edges, and clearings with ample leaf litter. It readily uses plantations, orchards, and large gardens when cover is nearby. Water edges and mangrove margins are also frequented.
