Description:

Medium sized, long tailed pale pinkish dove, with a large white spotted black patch on hind neck. Upperparts are scaled or spotted with pinkish-buff. Has extensive black-and-white chequered patches on sides of neck, vinaceous-pink tinged neck and breast, and dark grey-brown rump and tail with blackish base to outer tail feathers.

Distribution:

Uncommon summer visitor lower valleys in southern parts of Diamer district. Prefers deciduous jungles and avoiding arid areas. Also cultivated areas, groves, open forests and around human habitations. Typically occurs up to 2400m in summer.

Behavior:

Mostly a ground feeder, but otherwise spends most of its time in the canopy. Usually seen alone, in pairs or small groups, although larger groups may congregate at good food sources. Feeds on grain and other seeds, occasionally berries, green shoots and buds. Sometimes takes insects, e.g. winged termites.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Occurrence:

Resident Species

Summer Breeder

Winter Visitor

Passage Migrant

Distribution Map of Spotted Dove in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )

Seasonal Occurrence of Spotted Dove

Resources:

Birds of Pakistan: Helm Field Guides (R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
The Birds of Pakistan (T. J. Roberts)
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (C. Inskipp, R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide (P. Rasmussen & J. Anderton)
Birds of India: Collins Field Guide (N. Arlott)
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (S. Ali & S. D. Ripley)
Handbook of the Birds of the World (https://www.hbw.com)
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition
iNaturalist BoGB (inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-gilgit-baltistan)
Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (http://fb.me/birdsgb)

*Gallery images on this page are shared from flickr.com, and are copyrighted to their respective creators or owners.