Spotted Dove Identification

A large dove with mauve underparts, a grayish head, and distinctive white spotting on a black nape patch. Birds in the Indian Subcontinent have extensive buffy markings on the upperparts and a red eye.

A stocky dove with a long tail that appears squared-off at rest and fanlike in flight.

A large, long-tailed dove with distinctive white spotting on a black nape patch. Birds in the Indian Subcontinent have extensive buffy marks on the upperparts.

Widely introduced around the world, including in the Hawaiian Islands, Southern California, Australia, parts of Indonesia, and other Pacific Ocean islands.

Common in urban, suburban, and agricultural areas in both its native and introduced ranges.

Forages on the ground for seeds and berries. Birds in East Asia lack bold buffy marks on the upperparts, but some populations have black marks and subtle buffy edging on the wing coverts.

Birds in East Asia have brownish upperparts, with some populations (like this bird) having blackish streaks and pale buff edges on wing covert feathers.

Forages mainly on the ground in search of seeds and berries.

In flight, note extensive white tips to outer tail feathers.