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Story: Introduced land birds

Spotted dove

Spotted dove

The spotted dove was introduced from Asia as a caged bird. Escaped birds established wild populations in Auckland, Northland and the Bay of Plenty. It has a long white-tipped tail and is about half the size of a rock pigeon.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10053177

by Ralph G. Powlesland

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Introduced land birds – Pigeons and doves, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17142/spotted-dove (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Caroline Hay
30 October 2023
I have a spotted dove in my Garden here in Feilding .Manawatu It has been at my house for about a week . It has been sitting ion my bird feeder . I am worried that it is lost
Jan Fletcher
20 July 2023
20/07/23 - We have just seen a spotted dove on the post and rail fence surrounding our home, later hopping down onto the ground near the house. We didn't know what it was until we identified it from pictures online. We live rurally in the Waipa District of Te Pahu, close to Mt Pirongia, Waikato. Cheers, Jan