Common Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica
Also known as: Asian Emerald Dove, Emerald Dove, Grey-Capped Emerald Dove, Gray-Capped Emerald Dove
About This Species
A ground-dwelling dove of forest floor and dense understorey across South and Southeast Asia, more often heard than seen thanks to its soft, repeated cooing. Its iridescent green wing patches are striking when caught in a shaft of light as it walks quietly through leaf litter foraging for seeds and fallen fruit. Forest trails at dawn or dusk, where birds cross open ground between patches of cover, offer the best viewing opportunities.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Move slowly and quietly along forest paths, since this species is easily flushed and will duck back into cover at the first sign of disturbance.
- Wildlife protection laws vary across its broad range from India to Indonesia, so check local regulations, particularly within protected forest reserves.
- Avoid leaving forest trails to follow a flushed bird, as this causes unnecessary disturbance to forest floor habitat.
LCAvesColumbiformesColumbidae
Seasonal Activity
148,389 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.