Peaceful Dove

Geopelia placida (Gould, 1844)

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Peaceful Dove

Photograph by Philip Hamilton, Australia

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Introduction

The peaceful dove is also sometimes called the zebra dove, barred dove, or the turtle dove.  Many internet sites in Australia refer to this species as Geopelia striata as there is still some debate about the separation of G. striata into three separate species.  Brown (1) reports that recent taxonomic work has shown that the peaceful dove should be a separate species because of its plumage (barring around the front of the throat vs. barring only on the sides of the throat, the size of the bird, and the birds' call.  While the barring is distinctive, the length and weight data provided by Gibbs (2) does not show a significant difference between the peaceful dove and the zebra dove.

Description

Peaceful doves are about the same size as the zebra dove.  The barred dove is somewhat larger than either the zebra dove or the peaceful dove.  The peaceful dove does have barring completely across the neck and upper chest while the zebras dove's barring is restricted to the sides of the throat and chest.

Distribution

Four geographical races have been described for this dove but Gibbs reports the differences between the races are slight and of thus doubtful validity.  The four races and their locations are described below:

• G. placida placida - northern Australia and probably south-east New Guinea
• G. placida papua - New Guinea
• G. placida papua - southern Australia
• G. placida cleandi - western Australia

Habitat

Peaceful doves are usually found in dry, open grasslands with some scrub vegetation which is used for cover. They are also found in Eucalyptus forests and in other dry, wooded areas. But like most Geopelia doves they prefer to have a source of water nearby.  These doves can also be seen  in villages and towns and in gardens and parks, and also in cultivated areas.

Feeding

Feeds on small seeds of native grasses and weeds where the ground is bare in open spaces.  The bird walks and runs about very quickly while feeding. Brown (1) reports that insects are rarely eaten

Nesting

Brown (1) reports that breeding can occur any time during the year however breeding may be less frequent during dry periods and also during cold weather.  The peaceful dove starts up to eight clutches in a season.  The nest is a typical pigeon like loose construction of twigs built in a shrub or tree from two feet to thirty six feet above the ground.  Two white eggs are laid and are incubated by both of the parents for 13 to 14 days.  The babies leave the nest in 16 to 17 days.

References

(1)  Brown, Danny,  "Peaceful Dove, Geopelia placida"   A Guide to Pigeons, Doves & Quail, Their Management, Care & Breeding, South Tweeds Heads, Australia: Australian Birdkeeper 1995, pp. 117-119

(2)   Gibbs, David; Barnes, Eustace; Cox, John "Peaceful Dove, Geopelia placida", Pigeons and Doves, A Guide to Pigeons and Doves of the World, London: Yale University Press 2001, pp. 289-291

(3)  Goodwin, Derek, "Zebra Dove, Geopelia striata", Pigeons and Doves of the World, London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), 1967, pp. 172-173

(4)  Vriends, Matthew M., PhD., "Peaceful Dove (Geopelia [placida] striata tranquilla)", Doves, A Complete Pet Owner's Manual. Happauge, NY: Barrons Educational Series, Inc., 1994 , p. 85