How to identify the Bar-shouldered Dove

To correctly identify the Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

26-30 cm (10-12 in)

Wingspan

40-45 cm (16-18 in)

Weight

80-120 g (2.8-4.2 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults have a blue-grey crown and nape, with a distinctive rufous-orange face and throat. The back, wings, and rump are olive-brown. The most striking feature is the black and white barring on the hind-neck and upper mantle, which extends onto the shoulders. The underparts are pale grey to whitish, with a pinkish wash on the breast. The undertail coverts are white. The tail is long and graduated, with outer tail feathers showing white tips, visible in flight.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Slender, dark grey to black beak.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Pale yellow or whitish iris, often with a bare patch of bluish-grey skin around the eye.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Pinkish-red to dull red legs and feet.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The prominent black and white barring on the hind-neck and shoulders is the key distinguishing feature. The rufous-orange face and pale yellow eye also aid identification.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles are duller than adults, with less distinct barring on the neck and shoulders. The rufous coloration on the face is less prominent, and the plumage often has a browner, more muted tone. Their eyes may be darker.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal changes in plumage are observed.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males and females are generally similar in plumage, though males may be slightly brighter in coloration and have more intense rufous on the face. There is no marked sexual dimorphism.

Key field marks

• Neck and Shoulder Barring. Look for the prominent, coarse black and white barring on the hind-neck and extending onto the upper mantle and shoulders. This is the most diagnostic feature.
• Face Coloration. Note the distinctive rufous-orange wash on the face and throat, contrasting with the blue-grey crown.
• Eye Color and Patch. Observe the pale yellow or whitish iris and the small patch of bare blue-grey skin surrounding the eye.
• Call. Listen for its characteristic deep, resonant 'cook-a-wook' or 'hoop-hoop-hoop' call, which is a key identification aid in forested or dense areas.
• Size and Shape. It is a relatively medium-sized dove with a long tail, appearing more robust than the smaller Peaceful or Diamond Doves.

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