Peaceful Dove

1. Distinctive Barred Plumage: Bold black-and-white barring on the neck and breast, combined with fine scalloping on the head and chest, makes the Peaceful Dove unmistakable.

2. Facial Features: Light blue orbital ring, grey-blue cere, and pale pink lower breast transitioning to white on the belly help differentiate it from similar species like the Bar-shouldered Dove or Diamond Dove.

3. Tail Characteristics: In flight, its dark tail feathers with white tips create noticeable white cornersa key feature for identification.

These doves primarily feed on grass and sedge seeds but occasionally consume insects. They rely on regular access to water, drinking at least twice daily. Breeding occurs year-round but peaks after rainfall when food is plentiful. Their nests are simple platforms of twigs built in shrubs or trees by both parents. Each clutch typically contains two white eggs, incubated by both sexes for 13-14 days. Chicks fledge about 16 days after hatching. Families often roost together on branches, with parents positioned protectively on the outside.

Peaceful Doves inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, and savannas across northern and eastern Australia. They prefer areas with grassy understoreys near water sources such as creeks, dams, or billabongs. Commonly seen along roadsides and in agricultural areas with remt vegetation, they are most active during early mornings and late afternoons when foraging for seeds on the ground. During hotter parts of the day, they retreat to shady trees or sunbathe on the ground with one wing raised.