Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae
Genus Streptopelia
Species Streptopelia chinensis
Ancient Greek streptos ‘twisted collar’
Ancient Greek peleia ‘wild dove’
Latin chinensis ‘Chinese’
Common Name Spotted Dove
iNaturalist: Streptopelia chinensis
Wikipedia: Streptopelia chinensis
South Australian iNaturalist Research Grade Observations
My iNaturalist Research Grade Observations
Introduced to South Australia in 1881 as part of a naturalisation program. Now common in urban areas, displacing the native Geopelia placida (Peaceful Dove).
Identification Tips (SA Only):
- Distinct spotted hind-collar. (Absent in juveniles)
- Upper parts mid-brown
Similar Species (SA Only):
- Streptopelia roseogrisea (African Collared Dove)
- Black band hind-collar. (Absent in juveniles)
- Uniformly pale
- Feral population in metropolitan Adelaide
Similar Species (SA Only):
- Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon)
- Distinct black crest on top of head
- Black stripes on wings
- Ground feeding similar to Spotted Dove
- Modified primary feather creates an ‘alarm’ sound when launching
Similar Species (SA Only):
- Geopelia placida (Peaceful Dove)
- Black striations on neck, nape and down back
- Blue-grey ring surrounding the eye
- Absent from metropolitan Adelaide
Similar Species (SA Only):
- Geopelia cuneata (Diamond Dove)
- Red-orange eye rings and white spots on wings
- More common in semi-arid areas
Biodiversity+ Accommodations
No intentional accommodations are made for this introduced species, however they utilize the yard throughout the year, wandering through foraging for seeds, visiting the birdbaths and sunning themselves on the expose sections of garden. They unfortunately attract domestic cats to the yard. They do provide a valuable food source for the local Collared Sparrowhawks and Brown Goshawks.
Epistemic Curiosity 