Zebra dove

The zebra dove, known scientifically as Geopelia striata, is a small bird from the dove family, Columbidae.

It is also called the barred ground dove or the barred dove. This species is native to Southeast Asia, but it has spread to many other places. The zebra dove is a monotypic species, which means it has no recognized subspecies. It is closely related to the peaceful dove and the barred dove. These relatives were once considered subspecies of the zebra dove before scientists changed their classification. Today, the zebra dove is a common sight in many tropical regions around the world.

Physically, the zebra dove is a slender bird with a very long, narrow tail.

Its upperparts are a brownish-grey color with black-and-white barring. This barring refers to the striped pattern on its feathers. The underparts are pinkish and feature black bars on the neck, breast, and belly. A notable feature is the blue-grey face with bare blue skin around the eyes. The tail feathers also have white tips. Adult birds typically measure between 20 and 23 centimeters in length. Their wingspan usually ranges from 24 to 26 centimeters. Juvenile birds look different because they are paler and duller than adults. They may even have brown feathers.

These birds have unique behaviors related to how they eat and move. They primarily forage on the ground, such as on bare earth, short grass, or even roads. They move with a scurrying motion that is similar to a rodent. Unlike many other species in the dove family, zebra doves usually forage alone or in pairs. Their diet consists of small seeds from weeds and grasses. They also eat insects and other small invertebrates. The black-and-white barring on their bodies provides excellent camouflage. This pattern helps them hide from predators while they are on the ground.

The life cycle of a zebra dove begins with a specific courtship process. In their native range, the breeding season occurs from September to June. During this time, males perform a courtship display to attract females. The male will bow and coo while raising and spreading his tail. Once a nesting site is chosen, the female settles in. She makes guttural sounds to call males to help build the nest. The nest is a simple platform made of grass blades and leaves. It might be built in a tree, a bush, or even on a window ledge. The female lays one or two white eggs. Both parents share the duty of incubation, which lasts between 13 and 18 days. The young leave the nest within two weeks and can fly after three weeks.

Humans have a long history of studying and interacting with this bird. In 1743, the English naturalist George Edwards described the bird in his book, *A Natural History of Uncommon Birds*. He created a drawing based on a live specimen from the East Indies. In 1766, the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus included the bird in his *Systema Naturae*. Linnaeus gave it the name *Columba striata*. The specific name *striata* comes from the Latin word *striatus*, meaning "striated." Later, in 1837, the naturalist William Swainson introduced the genus *Geopelia*. This is the scientific group the bird belongs to today.

The distribution of the zebra dove has expanded far beyond its original home. Its native range includes Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. It may also be native to Borneo, Bali, Lombok, and the Philippines. However, many populations now exist outside of Southeast Asia. This happened because birds escaped from captivity or were released by people. For example, they were introduced to Hawaii in 1922 and Tahiti in 1950. They are also found in the Seychelles and the Chagos Archipelago. In some places, like Hawaii and the Seychelles, they are among the most abundant birds.

Zebra doves hold a special place in various cultures and ecosystems. In Thailand and Indonesia, they are popular pets due to their soft, staccato cooing calls. In Indonesia, they are known as *perkutut*. People even hold cooing competitions to find the bird with the best voice. In the Philippines, they are called *batobatong katigbe* or *kurokutok*, which mimics their sound. In Malaysia, they are called *merbuk*. While they are common in most areas, they have become rare in parts of Indonesia due to trapping for the cagebird industry. This shows how human activity can directly impact the population of a species.