Green Dove - Learn about some common green dove species in Vietnam

Learn about the origin, characteristics and habits of the green dove and discover common green dove species in Vietnam such as the hook-billed green dove, grey-headed green dove,...

Green Dove - a group of blue doves belonging to the family Columbidae, are not only attractive because of their special plumage but also have a very unique habit of eating fruit, contributing significantly to the dispersal of seeds of fruit trees. Although they are wild birds, they always receive the attention of bird lovers because of their beautiful colors and interesting habits and behaviors.

In today's article, let's nicebirds learn in detail about the origin, habits and some common green dove species in Vietnam !

Learn about the genus Cu xanh

The green turtle dove is a group of green doves in the pigeon family.

The Green Dove is a genus of pigeons in the family Columbidae, one of the oldest and most widely distributed bird groups in the world.

The Treron evolved in the tropical forests of Asia and Africa, where the environmental conditions were suitable for a fruit-eating lifestyle in the tree canopy. The Treron genus now includes more than 30 different species - one of the most diverse genera in the pigeon family.

Currently, the species of birds in the green dove genus are widely distributed throughout Asia and Africa, specifically as follows:

• South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Indonesian archipelagos, Philippines, East Timor,...
• Africa, sub-Saharan
• Vietnam: There are at least 5 species of green pigeons distributed mainly in primary, secondary and high mountain forests in the Central Highlands, Northeast, U Minh forest and Cat Tien forest.

General morphological characteristics of the green dove

The green dove usually has blue or olive green feathers.

The birds in the green dove genus all have the common characteristic of being graceful in shape. The main color is green or olive green. Let's find out more details below.

Size :

• Average length from 23 - 30 cm, depending on type
• Weight: About 120 - 200 grams, equivalent to or smaller than domestic pigeons.

Fur color :

• Mainly green, olive green
• The belly and chest often turn ash gray, pale yellow or orange-yellow.
• Some species have additional yellow, gray, red or brown streaks on the belly and back.
• The blue color of the feathers is a structural color phenomenon, not due to color pigmentation.

Head - eyes - beak :

• Small, round, neat head
• Eyes: Round, bright, often with red or orange rims
• Beak: Short, thin, slightly bulging beak corners

Legs - wings - tail:

• Legs: Short, strong, 3-toed front - 1-toed back, legs with fine scales
• Wings: Long, octagonal, makes little noise when flying
• Tail: Medium or long

Characteristics and behavior of the blue dove

The blue dove does not live alone.

The green dove has many lifestyles and behaviors typical of fruit-eating birds in the tropical forest. Specifically as follows:

Arboreal

The green turtle dove lives almost entirely in the trees, rarely coming down to the ground even to feed or drink. They usually fly between the canopy layers or climb the branches with their strong legs.

Fruitarian

Unlike other doves and pigeons, green doves are frugivores. They love figs, small, soft, sweet fruits. Occasionally they eat flower buds and seeds.

This group of birds has strong stomachs, which help them digest even small hard seeds - thanks to this habit, green turtle doves play an important role in dispersing seeds in the forest.

Live in small herds

Green turtle doves usually live in pairs or small flocks of 4-6 individuals, sometimes up to 15 if there is an abundant source of fruit.

They rarely live alone, have a sociable, friendly, non-aggressive temperament, and can even play with many other fruit-eating birds such as starlings, cuckoos, etc.

Soft, quiet sound

The green dove has a very soft call, mainly short, soft squeaking sounds like "hu hu", "wuu - wuu". They use their calls to call mates, to announce their location. Compared to domestic pigeons or turtle doves, the green dove is very quiet.

The role of the blue dove

Not only do green doves have an impressive and beautiful appearance, they also play an important role in maintaining ecological balance, specifically as follows:

• Seed dispersal, forest regeneration: Blue doves mainly eat ripe berries and when eating they will swallow the fruit whole and then excrete the seeds during the movement, because of this they have partly dispersed the seeds away from the mother tree, increasing the ability of forest regeneration.
• Maintaining ecosystem balance: The green dove is also an important link in the natural food chain as a potential prey for birds of prey, snakes, small carnivores,...
• Enriching the natural landscape: With its impressively colored plumage, the green pigeon brings aesthetic value and is an indispensable part of the tropical forest landscape.

Common types of doves in Vietnam

As shared above, in Vietnam there are many beautiful species of green doves, each type of bird will have its own characteristics in terms of morphology and behavior, let's find out the details below.

Green Curvy Dove (Treron curvirostra)

The blue dove has a curved beak.

The green dove, whose scientific name is Treron curvirostra, is a species of green dove distributed mainly in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, they often appear in dense forests, primary or secondary forests.

Characteristics of the green-billed pigeon:

• Size: 25 - 27 cm, round and plump shape, short neck, short tail
• Beak: Curved downwards like a hook - a distinctive identifying feature
• Feather color: The whole body is green, except for the male's shoulders which often have dark red or reddish brown patches, and the belly has a yellow or greenish yellow sheen.
• Eyes: Round, dark brown or reddish brown
• Legs: pinkish gray, light pink.
• Habits: Lives alone or in pairs
• Conservation status: Least concern - LC

Grey-headed Dove (Treron vernans)

A pair of grey-headed doves are perched next to each other.

Another species of green dove that is quite common in our country is the grey-headed green dove. They are often distributed in the Southern and Central regions and some low-lying forest areas in the North. They like to live in secondary forests, mangrove forests or dense gardens, bamboo forests,...

Characteristics of the gray-headed green pigeon:

• Size: 25 - 28 cm
• Shape: Round, short tail, neat and flexible flight
• Male color: Head and neck are silvery gray, body is green, chest and belly are pinkish orange, shoulders have dark purple patches.
• Female color: Whole body green, head without light green, pale yellow-green belly, no red patch on shoulder
• Eyes: Round, grey or blue rimmed
• Habits: Live alone or in pairs, occasionally gathering in small groups where there is plenty of food.
• Conservation status: Least concern - LC

Yellow-legged Dove (Treron phoenicopterus)

A yellow-legged green pigeon with distinctive yellow-browed feet.

The yellow-legged green pigeon has the scientific name Treron phoenicopterus, a green pigeon species with a wide distribution range, from India, Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, they often appear in bamboo forests, low hills, secondary forests in the Central and Southern regions.

Characteristics of green-legged yellow pigeon:

• Size: 27 - 30 cm
• Shape: Plump. Broad shoulders, short, round tail.
• Coat color: Overall bright green.
• Male: Shoulders are dark purple red, breast is light pink mixed with orange
• Female: No red patch on shoulder, simpler color.
• Legs: Bright yellow - a characteristic sign of the yellow-legged green pigeon
• Beak: Short, slightly curved
• Eyes: Round, rimmed with light blue or blue-gray

Green Pointed-tailed Dove (Treron apicauda)

Image of a green dove with a pointed tail.

The green dove with the scientific name Treron apicauda is a species of green dove distributed mainly in Southeast Asia and South Asia. In Vietnam, they often appear in the mountainous midland areas of the North such as Cao Bang, Lang Son, Ha Giang,...

Characteristics of green dove with pointed tail:

• Size: 27 - 30 cm
• Shape: Neat, long and pointed tail
• Male Color: Green all over, with dark purple shoulder patches, orange-pink breast, long, pointed tail with dark green or blue-green mid-tail feathers
• Female color: No red patch on shoulder, body is uniform green, belly and chest are pale yellow, tail is long but has no contrasting color.

Thus, through the above article, nicebirds.net has shared information related to the genus Dove and introduced to you some common Dove species in Vietnam. Although they are not recommended for keeping as pets, in return, Doves play an important role in maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem.

If you want to learn more about doves, pigeons or other pet birds, please visit our Blog section.