Laceneck Dove

Laceneck Dove
Streptopelia chinensis chinensis

AKA: Spotted Dove; Necklace Dove; Pearl-necked Dove; Spotted-necked Dove; Chinese Turtle Dove; Spotted Turtle Dove

©John Pire

©Monte Nord ©John Pire

S.c.suratensis S.c.tigrina

Distribution: Frequently found in the woodlands, forest edges, agricultural country & gardens of India, Ceylon & Indo-Malayan regions. Has been introduced & established in Australia, southern California, Hawaii & the West Indies where it is mainly found in the cultivated regions & near human habitation.

Races: there are 3 distinct groups centered in China, India & South-East Asia; varying in the degrees of black & pale buff markings on the upperparts & wing shields. Within these 3 groups there have been several races described. Group 1 - Found in China & Formosa; S. chinensis which includes S. c. hainana, (the latter is slightly smaller & paler); Group 2 - Found in India & Ceylon; S. c. suratensis which also includes S. c. ceylonensis; Group 3 - Found in Burma & the Malayan regions; S. c. tigrina which includes S. c. forresti & S. c. vacillans (both of the latter forms hardly differ from tigrina & neither is worthy of recognition). It is preferred by most authors to accept the 3 distinct groups: chinensis, suratensis & tigrina.
S. c. chinensis (Scopoli 1786); S. c. hainana (Hartert 1910)
S. c. suratensis (Gmelin 1789); S. c. ceylonensis (Reichenbach 1851)
S. c. tigrina (Temminck 1810); S. c. forresti (Rothschild 1925); S. c. vacillans (Hartert 1916)

Map

Description: Length 31 cm. Forehead, crown & face bluish grey with pinkish tinges. Nape, side sof neck throat & breast wine vinous shading to buff & grey on belly & undertail coverts. Has a narrow black stripe from bill to eye. Has a broad patch of black - white tipped feathers on sides & back of neck; the lower area of this display plumage having buffish tips. Back, wings, rump, upper tail coverts & central tail feathers dull grey brown. Outer tail feathers greyish black with broad white tips; tail feathers distinctly graduated towards central tail feathers. Wing edge & under wing coverts blue grey. Eyes yellow to orange yellow; thin dull purplish red eye cere; bill blackish or dark brown; legs & feet purplish red or reddish pink. Sexes similar. Juveniles generally paler brown with reddish buff feather edges, pale brown display patch with no white spotting.
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Voice: Advertising Call Courting Call

Nesting: 2 white eggs, incubation 14 days, fledging within another two weeks.

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