Like all other pigeons and doves, male and female emerald-spotted wood doves produce a milk-like substance that they feed to their young.
Bird
Diurnal
Omnivorous
least concern
55-65 g
Length: 16-20 cm
Wingpan: 11-15 cm
What is true about emerald-spotted wood doves?
They are generally regarded as resident birds and do not need to migrate over long distances.
A bird that avoids crowds, the emerald-spotted wood dove is almost always seen by itself, as part of a pair, or with just a few other companions.
Some experts say an emerald-spotted wood dove’s sad call sounds like, “My mother is dead ... dead ... another ... brother is dead, oh boohoohohohoho!”
Emerald-spotted wood doves are more often heard than seen. This bird prefers the quiet calm of the early morning when it leaves its cover for open ground, and walks in a zigzag pattern as it forages for food. When they perch in trees, they prefer to stay within several feet of the ground.
Least concern
Emerald-spotted wood doves search for small seeds, grass, termites, and a few other invertebrates on the ground.
Monogamous pairs may use the same nest for several seasons. Nests are constructed of twigs, roots, and grass, on top of a stump, or in the low branches of a bush or tree. Most incubation is performed by females, but both parents feed the hatchlings.
Snakes, shrikes, and mongooses all prey upon the chicks.
Emerald-spotted wood doves are abundant throughout Kenya.
These birds can be found south of the Sahara, but are more widespread in the eastern and central regions of the continent.
These birds thrive in a range of woodlands, bush, savanna, and cultivated fields.
While most birds sip water and then throw their heads back to swallow, emerald-spotted wood doves belong to the Columbidae bird family, which uses beaks like straws.
