Emerald Dove, Queensland, Australia
The Emerald Dove, also called the Green Pigeon, is an unusual pigeon in that it lives in tropical rainforests. Although we are accustomed to–even cavalier–about living with pigeons in urban settings, doves and pigeons are everywhere on this earth, with over 300 species.
So-named for his dazzling emerald back, Chalcophaps indica are common in northern and eastern Australia, as well as tropical Asia and India. Similar to many pigeons, they are about 10 inches (25 cm) long and sport numerous colors: emerald, rufous, black, white, pink, and gray with a bright red bill and legs. The male, seen here, has a white patch on his shoulder.
The sounds of the Australian rainforest are different than the Amazon, because the birds are different. The whipbird, for example, lives here; it sounds like a really loud cracking whip. With the many raucous sounds in this rainforest, the gentle, persistent, low cooing of the emerald dove lends a mellow accompaniment.
For an added delight, you may see this dove’s rich, verdant back flying low, weaving through this seemingly impenetrable forest.
Photo credit: Athena Alexander
Another beauty….thank you, and hope you enjoy a lovely weekend. Janet
So very glad you enjoyed it, Janet; and I hope you, too, have a lovely weekend. 😀 😀
Jet I love the description in the forest as though a choir of birds is singing in harmony. The dove sounds like the flute section to me. Perhaps the whip birds are on percussion. Another lovely photo where that orange beak leaps off the branch.
The sounds of the Aus. rainforest are unbelievable. While writing this post and thinking about the sounds, I realized there’s a new post to write about. So very glad, dear Sue, that you enjoyed the post. Have yourself a wonderful weekend…. 😀
Beautiful dove Jet.
Thanks very much, Donna; appreciate your visit and comment. 😀
It’s sad to see city pigeons living on people food and how deformed and sick they get from our fast food– you’d think we would wake up. Great picture
Glad you liked the Emerald Dove, Bill. Thanks so much for stopping by today. 😀
What a beautiful bird!!! I learn so much from your posts and the pics are great (thanks Athena)……I was fascinated by your description of the sounds being different between the two rain forests!!! Thank you!!!
I’m really grateful for your comment, Kirt. As I was writing this it occurred to me that many people might think all rainforests sound alike. But they are vastly different, so I put that sentence in to clarify, and I see from your comment that it was new information. Very glad you enjoyed the post, Kirt; and appreciate your feedback today and all days. 😀
What a beautiful bird.
It truly is, my friend, and how fortunate that it is common in some parts of the world, because then many people get to see this beautiful bird. Thanks so much for your comment and visit. 😀
Love those spots of orange.
There’s something about the light of the rainforest, too, that brings out these colors, the emerald and yes the orange too. Very glad you enjoyed it, Mary, and I am not surprised that the colors are what draw your painterly eyes. 😀
Much more colorful than our local doves!
They hold quite a spectrum, I agree Jan. Thank you! 😀
Thank you for this lovey post and information about this lovely looking bird. have a lovely weekend Jet 🙂 🙂 x
I thought they were so lovely too, Gill — so I’m glad you enjoyed this. I thought you would enjoy the dove because your sharing of the doves in your homeland, their beauties and nuances, their distinct silhouettes, is equally as lovely. 😀 😀
Yes indeed all the doves have their own beauty. I hadn’t realised that there are 300 different varieties of this handsome bird. Thank you so much Jet; a delightful post. 🙂 🙂 x
😀 😀 😀
Dazzling sights, gentle sounds… Lovely blog — and blogger.
Doves and pigeons do have the gentle sounds, and this emerald dove is so spectacular. I’m delighted you enjoyed it dear Nan. Thank you so very much. 😀 😀
A beautiful bird. Thanks for showing it.
Thanks so much, Cecilia — for your warm comment and visit. I’m glad you liked the dove. 😀
I love pigeons, so it’s lovely to see an exotic version!
I personally think there’s not enough people on this planet loving pigeons, so I am so happy to hear your comment, Andrea. Thanks so much! 😀
I’m going to write a post in praise of pigeons one day – I expect it to be controversial 🙂
Lovely pigeons, like hand painted rich colors! 🙂
I like that description, HJ. They do look hand-painted. Have a really great weekend my friend. 🙂 🙂
Such beautiful birds you have described from the rainforests of Queensland. The green pigeon species is indeed colourful! A lovely composition of the photo and write-up here, Jet. Have a nice weekend, my friend. 🙂
Thanks so much Iris. It was a fun post to compose because I got to listen to some recordings in my research that brought back all the rainforest sounds. And I realized there are still some really cool birds (you know Australia, so wildly different) there that I haven’t yet featured in my blog. I really appreciate your feedback and am delighted you enjoyed the emerald dove. My weekend is going well, I imagine yours is too, a great thing. 😀
Thank you, Jet. You are so right about the diversity in the Australian wildlife. The flora and fauna in the rainforest regions are great attractions! I do appreciate your varied and interesting posts. 🙂
:D. 😀 Thank you Iris–
That is a lovely bird! Such beautiful colors! I can only imagine the sounds (and sights) in the Australian rainforests. I’d love to visit one day 🙂
Yes, one day soon I will highlight the catbird who sounds like a cat with its tail caught in the door. I hope you do visit there, but until that happens, Tiny, the catbird can entertain you. Many thanks! 🙂
Looking forward to that!!
The most common dove in Austin (Texas) is the white-winged dove:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/nature-comes-to-me-for-a-change-take-2/
They’re beauties, thanks Steve.
While the Mourning Doves that I am fortunate to have nesting near my home in Wisconsin is nowhere near as colorful as those in Athena’s picture, their gentle, almost sad (mournful) cooing makes up for that. It is a pleasure to hear them in the quiet of the early morning hours, or at any time of day, for that matter!
I agree with you, T, they are a delight to have outside one’s door. No matter what is going on in your mind, having that sweet cooing come through the window relaxes every situation and brings peace. A delight to chat! 😀