Spotted Dove (Dark Mutation)

A pair of Spotted Doves (Spilopelia chinensis), to the left the dark mutation, to the right the common buff coloured plumage.

Mundane as Australian suburbia might be, we often do get interesting visitors. This web page contains a selection of recent suburban wildlife pictures of interest.

The Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is an invasive species commonly found across the continent, mostly in the suburbs of major cities. These birds are very common in the Yarraman area, outnumbering the native Crested Pidgeon.

In 2013 I have repeatedly observed and photographed at least two of these birds with uncharacteristically dark colouration, best described as a chocolate brown colour. These images are a selection from three separate shoots, between May and October, 2013. The dark specimens mix with the regular buff coloured specimens.

Two images of a Dark Spotted Dove in juvenile plumage (May 2013) without the characteristic spotted collar. Only one example was observed (Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm D-ED).

Three images of a Dark Spotted Dove in adult plumage (early October 2013) with the characteristic spotted collar fully developed. Only one example was observed (Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm D-ED).

Multiple images of a pair of dark Spotted Doves in adult plumage (late October 2013) with the characteristic spotted collar fully developed. Two examples were observed, and conveniently an example in common buff plumage shared the perch making for a good comparison (Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm D-ED).

Other Interesting Wildlife Sites

http://www.wildlife-photo.org/