Spotted a bird? Identify it instantly with the Birdby app
Open the appAbout
The Zebra Dove is a small, slender dove with a long tail, characterized by its distinctive barred plumage on the neck, breast, and flanks. It is a common and widespread species, native to Southeast Asia, but also introduced to many other regions globally. Known for its gentle cooing calls, it is often found in open country, gardens, and urban areas.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 20-23 cm
- Wingspan
- 28-32 cm
- Weight
- 50-70 g
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity
- Diet
- Granivore (primarily seeds, small insects, and fallen berries)
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Overall grey-brown plumage. The head and nape are bluish-grey, fading to a pinkish-brown on the breast and belly. Distinctive black and white barring (zebra-like stripes) are prominent on the sides of the neck, breast, and flanks. The back and wings are brownish with fine black barring. The undertail coverts are white.
- Beak shape
- Small, slender, dark grey to black beak with a pale grey cere.
- Eye color
- Dark brown, surrounded by a patch of pale blue or greenish-blue bare skin.
- Leg color
- Pinkish-red to purplish-red
- Distinguishing features
- The fine black and white barring on the neck, breast, and flanks, combined with its small size and long tail, are the most distinguishing features. The pale blue orbital skin around the eye is also a good field mark.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage, less distinct barring, and often a brownish wash on the head and breast. The bare orbital skin is less developed and paler.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Males and females are generally monomorphic in plumage, making them difficult to distinguish visually. Males may be slightly larger and have a more pronounced blue orbital skin, but this is not a reliable field mark.
How to identify
- 1
Size and Shape
Look for a small, slender dove with a relatively long tail, giving it an elegant profile.
- 2
Plumage Pattern
The most striking feature is the fine black and white barring on the sides of the neck, breast, and flanks, resembling zebra stripes. The head is bluish-grey, and the back is brownish with fine barring.
- 3
Facial Features
Note the pale blue or greenish-blue bare skin around the dark brown eye.
- 4
Vocalization
Listen for its characteristic soft, rolling 'coo-coo-coo' song, which is a key identifier.
- 5
Behavior
Observe its ground-feeding habits, often pecking quickly at seeds in open, grassy areas. Its tame nature in urban settings can also be a clue.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, shrublands, urban areas, gardens, agricultural lands, and open woodlands.
- Geographic range
- Native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines). Widely introduced to Hawaii, Australia, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, and other Pacific islands.
- Elevation range
- Sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters.
- Preferred environments
- Prefers open, grassy areas with scattered trees and shrubs, often near human habitation. Commonly found in parks, gardens, golf courses, and cultivated areas where food sources are readily available.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal, most active during the early morning and late afternoon.
- Feeding habits
- Primarily ground feeders, foraging for small seeds, fallen grains, and occasionally small insects or larvae. They peck at the ground with quick, jerky movements. They often feed in pairs or small flocks.
- Social behavior
- Typically seen in pairs or small family groups. Can form larger flocks at abundant food sources or communal roosts. Generally tame and accustomed to human presence in urban environments.
- Flight pattern
- Flight is direct and swift, with rapid wing beats. They often fly low to the ground over short distances.
- Migration pattern
- Resident and non-migratory throughout its range. Introduced populations are also sedentary.
- Territoriality
- Pairs maintain small territories, especially during the breeding season, defending nesting sites and immediate foraging areas. Males engage in bowing displays and cooing to assert dominance and attract mates.
Song & calls
- Song
- The song is a soft, melodious, and often repeated 'coo-coo-coo' or 'krrruu-krrruu-krrruu', sometimes described as a gentle, rolling purr. It can be quite soothing and is a characteristic sound of its habitat.
- Call
- Alarm calls are a sharper, more abrupt 'coo' or 'krrru'. Contact calls between pairs are soft, low coos.
- When they vocalize
- Vocalizes throughout the day, particularly active during the breeding season and in the early morning and late afternoon.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Breeds year-round in tropical climates, with peaks often coinciding with periods of abundant food or after rainfall. In some regions, breeding may be more concentrated from March to October.
- Nesting habits
- Nests are typically flimsy platforms of twigs, roots, and grass, often placed in low bushes, small trees, or even on ledges of buildings, usually 1-3 meters above the ground. Both parents participate in nest construction.
- Clutch size
- Typically 2 eggs per clutch.
- Egg description
- Usually two eggs, pure white, elliptical to oval in shape, and smooth-shelled.
- Incubation period
- 13-18 days, incubated by both parents.
- Fledging period
- 12-14 days after hatching, the young leave the nest. They remain dependent on parents for a short period thereafter.
- Parental care
- Both male and female parents share incubation duties and feed the nestlings 'crop milk' (pigeon milk) initially, transitioning to regurgitated seeds as they grow.
Where to find
Urban Parks and Gardens
Commonly found in well-maintained parks, botanical gardens, and residential areas with lawns and scattered trees.
Agricultural Lands
Often seen foraging in cultivated fields, especially those with grains or seeds.
Open Woodlands and Shrublands
Can be found in the edges of open woodlands and areas with dense shrubbery, particularly where there are clearings.
Coastal Areas
In some parts of its introduced range, it can be found in coastal scrub and dunes.
Field tips
- Listen for Calls. Their distinctive soft cooing is often heard before the bird is seen. Follow the sound to locate them.
- Scan the Ground. They are primarily ground feeders, so look for them foraging on lawns, paths, and open ground.
- Check Low Perches. They often perch on low branches, fences, or utility wires, especially when resting or vocalizing.
- Visit Early Morning/Late Afternoon. These are their most active feeding times, increasing your chances of observation.
- Be Patient and Quiet. While often tame, sudden movements can startle them. Observe from a distance with binoculars.
Similar species
Peaceful Dove
Geopelia placida
The Peaceful Dove is very similar in appearance but generally has more extensive barring on the underparts, extending further down the belly. Its calls are also distinct, often described as a 'doodle-doo' or 'coo-loo-cook'.
Barred Dove
Geopelia celebensis
The Barred Dove is found in Sulawesi and the Philippines. It is slightly larger and has broader, more distinct black barring on the underparts, and often a more rufous wash on the wings.
Diamond Dove
Geopelia cuneata
The Diamond Dove is smaller and has distinctive white spots on its wings, a bright red eye-ring, and lacks the extensive barring on the neck and breast of the Zebra Dove. It is native to Australia.
Quick facts
- Native Range:
- Southeast Asia
- Introduced Range:
- Hawaii, Australia, Indian Ocean islands, Pacific islands
- Diet Primary:
- Seeds
- Social Structure:
- Pairs or small flocks
- Nesting Site:
- Low bushes, trees, building ledges
Fun facts
- The Zebra Dove is a popular cage bird due to its gentle nature and melodious calls, which has contributed to its widespread introduction.
- In Hawaii, the Zebra Dove is one of the most common and recognizable birds, having been introduced in the 1920s.
- Despite its delicate appearance, it is a very adaptable species, thriving in a variety of human-modified landscapes.
- The 'striata' in its scientific name refers to the striped (barred) plumage, a key identification feature.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Geopelia
- Species
- Geopelia striata
Explore the Zebra Dove
Identify birds anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo & sound identification, full species database, and your personal life list.