Zebra Dove

Geopelia striata

Least ConcernCommonSeedsWoodlandPlatform nestSmall · 57 g

About the Zebra Dove

The zebra dove, also known as the barred ground dove, or barred dove, is a species of bird of the dove family, Columbidae, native to Southeast Asia. They are small birds with a long tail, predominantly brownish-grey in colour with black-and-white barring. The species is known for its pleasant, soft, staccato cooing calls.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The birds are small and slender with a long, narrow tail. The upperparts are brownish-grey with black-and-white barring. The underparts are pinkish with black bars on the sides of the neck, breast and belly. The face is blue-grey with bare blue skin around the eyes. There are white tips to the tail feathers. Juveniles are duller and paler than the adults. They can also have brown feathers. Zebra doves are 20–23 centimetres in length with a wingspan of 24–26 cm. Their call is a series of soft, staccato cooing notes.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Zebra Dove sounds like

Recording: Derek Paulo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Derek Paulo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Derek Paulo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Portugal, Australia, South Africa, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Maldives.

When to see it

Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Peaceful Dove vs Zebra Dove · Bar-shouldered Dove vs Zebra Dove

Learn the Zebra Dove for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

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