DOVES

RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE
SIZE; Pigeon; length 35cm (14 in).
FIELD CHARACTERS; A large dove with rufous-and-blackish scaly patterned upper plumage, slaty gray rump, a black-and-gray “chest broad” on either side of hind neck, and broad gray terminal fringe to blackish rounded tail-the last particularly conspicuous when spread while alighting or in display. Below, chin and throat whitish; breast pale vinous-rufous diffusing to white on belly and vent.
SEXES; Alike. Distinguished from the commoner Spotted Dove by rich rufous coloration and stocky pigeon-like build.
STATUS, HABITAT, ETC; Resident. Duars, foothills and up to 4000 m, migrating to lower levels and the plains in winter: open mixed forest and bamboo jungle in broken foothills country, often in the neighborhood of cultivation.
FOOD; Ground feeding and granivorous; gleans in an arc or spiral with outspread tail. grain and weed seeds.
CALL; a hoarse, mournful sounding grrr….gur-grugroo… repeated in slow runs.

SPOTTED DOVE
SIZE; Myna; length 23 cm (9 in).
FIELD CHARACTERS, Above, pinkish brown and gray spotted with white; a conspicuous black-and-white “chest broad” at base of hind neck. Tail blackish brown and slate, with a broad white terminal fringe conspicuous when spread while alighting. Below, vinous gray, paler on throat, white on belly and vent.
SEXES; alike. Birds from the Mishmi Hills are markedly darker.
STATUS, HABITAT, ETC; Resident and seasonal local migrant. Duars and normally up to 2400m, descending to lower elevations and the plains in winter; groves, cultivation and open moist-deciduous jungle. Pairs or small parties glean in stubble field and on cart tracks etc. Habits like Rufous turtle dove.
FOOD: Grains and weeds seeds.
CALL; a soft, pleasant crooning Krook-ruk-krukroo…kroo-kroo-kroo- the final kroos repeated from two to six times.
EMERALD DOVE
SIZE; Myna, length 25cm(10 in).
FIELD CHARACTERS A small brownish pink forest dove with brilliant bronzed emerald-green upperparts. Crown and head bluish grey with prominent white forehead and eyebrows, and a band of white –fringed feathers across lower back. Rump gray; tail brown and gray with a broad black band interrupted in the middle. Female differs only in details. Bronze-green mantle, white rump-patch, chestnut under wing and coral red bill conspicuous in a fly-past.
STATUS, HABITAT, ETC. Resident( secondary or local migrant?). Duars and upto 1800 m in moist-deciduous secondry forest and mixed bamboo jungle, chiefly foothills country. Overgrown jhoom clearings, and erosion nullahs through tea gardens are favorite haunts. Singly or pairs, locally not uncommon. Runs about and gleans on jungle tracks etc. Flight silent, swift, direct.
FOOD grains, weed seeds, berries; occasionally insects, e.g. White ants.

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