Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is in the Pigeons and Doves family (Columbidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,826 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Spotted Dove: observations by month (U.S.)
About Spotted Dove
The spotted dove or eastern spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small and somewhat long-tailed pigeon that is a common resident breeding bird across its native range on the Indian subcontinent and in East and Southeast Asia. The species has been introduced to many parts of the world and feral populations have become established.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Spotted Dove by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 3,715 | March | Feb–Jan |
| California | 110 | October | Jul–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Pigeons and Doves)
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Band-tailed Pigeon
Inca Dove
Zebra Dove
Common Ground Dove
White-tipped Dove
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Spotted Dove?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to January.
Where is Spotted Dove most often seen?
The most observations come from Hawaii, California.