Common Emerald Dove

The common emerald dove is a compact forest pigeon 23–27 cm long. Both sexes have brilliant metallic emerald-green wings and back, dark flight feathers and a coral-red bill and legs. Males show a pale grey crown, white forehead and shoulder patches; females are browner on the head and lack the bold white shoulder. In flight, the chestnut body and glowing green wings make a distinctive contrast (Wikipedia, general species account).

A widespread resident from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to western New Guinea, it lives in evergreen forest, secondary woodland and dense plantations. Birds usually walk alone or in pairs on shaded ground, eating fallen fruit, seeds and occasional invertebrates, and flush with fast direct flight when approached. A flimsy twig nest is placed low in dense vegetation. Both parents incubate two cream-coloured eggs for about 13–14 days (Wikipedia, general species account).