The Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos) is an African bird of the Columbidae family – pigeons and doves.

The Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove is a medium-sized bird with a pale grey-brown back, neck, wings, and tail. Its wings have bright metallic or iridescent green spots or patches. It has black bands on the lower back and tail. Its forehead, crown, and the back of the neck (nape) are blue-grey, fading to pink-grey on its throat. Its underparts are mauve-pink, becoming whiter on the belly. Its beak is black with a red base.

Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove

It grows to about 20 centimetres (8 inches) in length.

The Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove is native to eastern and southern Africa. It prefers open, dry deciduous woodlands. It does not like rainforests or semi-deserts.

Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove

Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove

Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove

Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM