Pigeons & Doves

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Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea) - The largest pigeon in Sri Lanka. Metallic green back and grey head and body. Feeds on fruit. Lives in lowland wood and forests, and lower hills. (1,2)

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Treron bicincta leggei) Endemic race. - This is a male with a green mantle, plus a purple and orange breast. Mostly lives in trees where it eats fruit. Mainly lives in dry zone, but can be seen in wet zone and hills. (1,2)

Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea) - A closer view of this wary bird. (1,2)

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica robinsoni) Male. - Red bill, green mantle white eyebrow with a grey crown and nape. Feeds on ground in pairs or sometimes flocks. (1,2)

Sri Lanka Woodpigeon (Columba torringtoni) Endemic species. - This pigeon lives above 300 m in the hills and mountains. Arboreal and feeds on fruits of the forest. Shy. Its mating call sounds like an owl. (1,2)

Sri Lanka Woodpigeon (Columba torringtoni) Endemic species. - Rear view showing this pigeons distinctive black and white pattern on the back of its neck. (1,2)

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) by the poolside. (1,2)

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis ceylonensis) Endemic race. - A common, slim dove found in gardens, dry zone forest, lower hills (like this one near Haputale) and in most areas. Feeds on the ground. (1,2)

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica robinsoni) Male. - Red bill, green mantle white eyebrow with a grey crown and nape. Feeds on ground in pairs or sometimes flocks. (1,2)

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis ceylonensis) Endemic race. - Spotted Dove chick close up. This chick is safe in the reed beds at Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary near Ambalantota. (1,2)

A beautiful, male Emerald Dove.

Sri Lanka Green Pigeon (Treron pompadora) Male, endemic species. Ash blue crown and nape which becomes green on back of neck. This male has a maroon mantle, while a female would be green. Mainly arboreal where it feeds on fruits. (1,2)

Sri Lanka Green Pigeon (Treron pompadora) Male, endemic species. Hides in foliage when threatened. Lives in small noisy flocks. (1,2)

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica robinsoni) Female - Similar colouring to male, but with less white on eyebrow and nape. (1,2)

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Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea)

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Treron bicincta leggei) Endemic race.

Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea)

A beautiful Emerald Dove.

Sri Lanka Woodpigeon (Columba torringtoni) Endemic species.

Sri Lanka Woodpigeon (Columba torringtoni) Endemic species.

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) by the poolside. (1,2)

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis ceylonensis) Endemic race.

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis ceylonensis) Endemic race.

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica robinsoni) Male.

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica robinsoni) Female

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Bird References
1. Harrison J. A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011.
2. Henry G.M. A Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka, 3rd edn. Colombo: Oxford University Press; 1998.