Spotted dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Spotted dove(about 30cm) is a long tailed slim bird with white spotted, pinkish and grey upperparts. The head and underparts are pinkish with a greyish shade on the face and lower portion of the belly.Both the sexes are similar and the black and white patchy (chess board type) band on the hind neck is the unique distinguishing feature of the bird. The legs are reddish in colour.

It is quite common in open well wooded forests,cultivations and near habitations as well. Often seen alone or in pairs the spotted dove has got a very swift and strong flight like other doves.