These small, shy doves are typically seen in pairs foraging on the ground. They are well camouflaged with their brown and green plumage, except when glimpsed in a sunny spot. Then the emerald shimmers iridescent and the bright red beak and feet are also quite striking. The call of these doves is a very low, soft ‘purroom’ which rises gradually with each call.
(Illustration by Beryl Robertson)
Chalcophaps indica 23 - 27cm
More brilliant birds . . .
Yellow-throated scrubwren – Eastern yellow robin – Rufous fantail – Golden whistler – Eastern whipbird – Noisy pitta – Regent bowerbird – Emerald dove – Rose-crowned fruit dove – Green catbird – Paradise riflebird – Wompoo fruit-dove
