# Zebra Dove (*geopelia striata*) The Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) is a small, slender bird celebrated for its gentle disposition and melodious, soft cooing calls. Native to Southeast Asia, its pleasant vocalizations have made it a highly prized cage bird in many cultures, leading to its widespread introduction in areas like Hawaii, the Seychelles, and Madagascar. Characterized by the striking striped plumage that gives the species its name, this peaceful dove is a familiar sight in parks, gardens, and open agricultural landscapes where it delicately forages for seeds on the bare ground. Unlike many shy bird species, the Zebra Dove has adapted incredibly well to human presence. It often displays a remarkable tameness, happily walking along footpaths and lawns. Its tranquil presence and soothing songs make it a beloved resident wherever it is found, seamlessly bridging the gap between urban environments and the natural world. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Found in open scrublands, farmlands, and woodland edges, often foraging on bare ground or short grass. ![Zebra Dove](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/99178252/medium.jpeg) Photo: CC0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/99178252) ## Appearance Measuring about 20 to 23 centimeters in length, the Zebra Dove is a diminutive and slender bird with a relatively long, narrow tail. Its upperparts are a muted brownish-grey, while the face, throat, and underparts carry a soft pinkish or buff hue. The defining feature of the species is the intricate black-and-white barring—resembling zebra stripes—that heavily marks the sides of its neck, breast, and flanks. Its short beak is a pale blue-grey, and its small legs are a dark reddish-pink. In flight, the tail reveals prominent white tips on the outer feathers, and the wings beat with rapid, fluttering motions. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Columbiformes - **Family:** Columbidae - **Genus:** Geopelia ## Interesting facts - Both male and female Zebra Doves produce a nutrient-rich, cheese-like substance called 'crop milk' to feed their chicks during the first few days of life. - In Hawaii, the Zebra Dove was introduced in 1922 and has since become one of the most abundant and recognizable urban birds on the islands, affectionately known locally as the 'shaka bird'. - In Thailand and Indonesia, Zebra Doves are so prized for their singing that there are massive, specialized competitions where thousands of birds are judged on the pitch, rhythm, and melody of their coos. - When drinking, Zebra Doves—like other pigeons and doves—use their beaks like a straw to suck up water continuously, rather than scooping it and tilting their heads back like most birds. ## Special abilities - **Melodious Cooing:** They possess a distinctively high-pitched, staccato cooing song that is so highly valued in parts of Southeast Asia that they are regularly entered into specialized singing competitions. - **Explosive Flight:** When startled by predators, they can launch into an almost vertical, rapid flight accompanied by a distinct whistling sound created by air rushing through their wing feathers. - **Sunbathing Thermoregulation:** To regulate their body temperature and maintain feather health, they frequently engage in sunbathing by lying flat on the ground with one wing fully extended to absorb the sun's rays. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 24-26 cm - **Weight:** 0.04-0.06 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 13-18 days ## Diet & Feeding Zebra Doves are primarily ground-feeding granivores, sustaining themselves almost entirely on small grass and weed seeds. - **Age differences:** Nestlings are fed a highly nutritious secretion called 'crop milk' by both parents before transitioning to a solid seed diet. - **Primary Foods:** Grass seeds, Weed seeds, Small fallen grains, Occasional small insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Feral and domestic cats are a major predator of these ground-foraging doves in urban and suburban environments. - **Competitor:** [Spotted Dove](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-dove) (*Spilopelia chinensis*) — Shares similar ground-foraging habitats and competes for seed resources in both its native and introduced ranges. - **Parasite:** Avian Pox Virus (*Avipoxvirus*) — Frequently affected by avian pox, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that causes warty growths. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Zebra Dove? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Zebra Dove? 20-23 cm ### What is Zebra Dove's wingspan? 24-26 cm ### How much does Zebra Dove weigh? 0.04-0.06 kg ### How long does Zebra Dove live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Zebra Dove move? 45 km/h ### What does Zebra Dove eat? Zebra Doves are primarily ground-feeding granivores, sustaining themselves almost entirely on small grass and weed seeds. ### Where is Zebra Dove usually found? Found in open scrublands, farmlands, and woodland edges, often foraging on bare ground or short grass. ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amy-b-h-greenwell-ethnobotanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Kahaluu Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahaluu-bay) — Hawaii, US · Historic District - [Kahanu Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahanu-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Lahaina Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lahaina-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Lyon Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyon-arboretum) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Zebra Dove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/zebra-dove) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Zebra Dove: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zebra-dove)