Emerald-spotted Wood Dove

Afrikaans name: Groenvlekduifie

Emerald-spotted Wood Doves are often seen on the ground

Photo © Steven Herbert

Turtur chalcospilos

The Emerald-spotted Wood Dove is often called the Green-spotted Dove or Green-spotted Wood Dove.

This dove is often seen on the ground and it allows you to approach fairly closely before flying into a nearby thicket.

Most often they are seen alone.

The Emerald-spotted Wood Dove nests in trees and shrubs where a flimsy nest is made. They may sometimes make their nest in an aloe. Two eggs are normally laid.

In South African this species is quite common in the southern and eastern regions of the country. The preferred habitats are woodland and savanna.

The Emerald-spotted Wood Dove feeds on seeds and fruit that it finds on the ground. It also eats termites and small molluscs.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 143

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 116

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 116

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 80

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 96

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 118

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 37

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 58

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 100

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 152

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 200

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 200

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 131

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 222

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 231

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 311

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 307

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 218

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 226

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 148

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 124

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 106

List of South African Birds