Emerald spotted wood dove

Introduction: Emerald spotted wood-doves (Turtur chalcospilos) or green-spotted doves, are small ground-foragers, who because of their flying inadequacies tend to spend most of their time on the ground. They can be observed in gardens, orchards, closed woodland and dry savannah and sand forest habitats.

Distribution: Northern and central regions of Namibia including Etosha National Park, Epupa Falls, Caprivi Strip, Chobe River and Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

Diet: Small seeds of herbs and grasses, small molluscs and termites.

Description: Chalcospilos is the Greek word for 'copper or brass spots', referring to their metallic green, blue or violet spots on the coverts. Turter is the Latin word for 'turtle-dove'.

Breeding: A twig and root nest is made in a bush or tree. Females lay 1 or 2 eggs that have an incubation period of 17 days.

Size: 20cm.

Weight: 65g.