Commonly Observed Native Animals in the NT
Peaceful dove (Geopelia placida (Formerly Geopelia striata))
Family: Columbidae
Other names: Placid dove, Zebra dove, Barred dove, Doodle-doo
Conservation Status
- Australia: Least Concern
- NT: Least Concern
Description
The Peaceful dove is a very common bird seen in the NT. It can be distinguished from other doves and pigeons by its blue-grey face, black and white striped or barred neck, white underbelly and brown barred back. It is larger than the Diamond dove and smaller than the Bar-shouldered dove.
Distribution
Peaceful doves can be found almost throughout the whole NT with the exception of far south west NT where a lack of water limits their spread. They are found more commonly in monsoonal NT in open sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalyptus, Acacia and Casuarina and close to wetlands dominated by Pandanus and Melaleuca where they often nest. Peaceful doves are also found in South East Asia and Papua New Guinea.
Peaceful doves are often found in lightly timbered country close to water sources and their call is a soft cooing.
Ecology
Peaceful doves are ground foragers and their diet consists mainly of small seeds from grasses, and occasionally small invertebrates. They are often seen in pairs or small flocks and can gather in large numbers near water.
Pairs are monogamous but will take another partner if one dies. Both the female and male help to raise young which after fledging stay close to their parents.
Peaceful doves can breed all year, although in the NT, breeding generally occurs towards the end of the wet season and into the early part of the dry season.
Potential Threats
There is currently no management plan or objectives for the Peaceful dove in the NT as they are very common throughout, and are not thought to be at any significant risk.
Potential threats to the Peaceful dove may include predation by cats, foxes and disease.
As with all native species in the NT, Peaceful doves are protected and it is illegal to kill or take a Peaceful dove from the wild without the appropriate permit.
Further Reading
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P. (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Vol. 3, Oxford University Press, p949-957.
