The spotted dove

A spotted dove rests on a stump at Tianhou Palace, Nanshan District in this Feb. 7, 2021 photo.

The spotted dove

Among the most ubiquitous birds of Shenzhen, probably belonging to one of the most well-known bird species in the world, is the spotted dove (Streptopelia chinensis). This absolute beauty is a must-see in our city.

深圳最常见的鸟，可能也是世界上最出名的鸟类之一就是珠颈斑鸠（Streptopelia chinensis），这绝美的鸟儿在深圳不容错过。

The spotted dove has a grayish head that transitions into a distinctive broad black collar with fascinating white spots covering the neck, except on the chest side. The color of the body is a beautiful blend of pale pink and gray, while the wings are of a darker gray that becomes brown as it gets closer to the black tips.

珠颈斑鸠头部呈灰色，后颈有宽阔的黑色，其上满布以白色细小斑点形成的领斑。身体是漂亮的淡粉色和灰色，翅膀是深灰色的，到翼尖渐渐变为棕色。

A spotted dove rests on a flower pot at the mangrove ecological park in Futian District in this file photo.

This beautiful bird reaches a length of approximately 32 cm long, with a reasonably long tail and a 40-centimeter-long wingspan that, when spread open, lets us see how majestic they can be.

这种美丽的鸟儿体长可达32厘米，尾巴相当长，翼展可达40厘米，张开翅膀后十分气派。

Spotted doves prefer foraging the ground in search of seeds, buds, grains, or occasionally human leftovers, so it is very common to find them in parks around people. However, in Shenzhen, most of them show very reserved behavior and are easily driven away by the presence of humans.

珠颈斑鸠喜欢在地面上觅食，它们会找种子、花蕾、谷物，偶尔还会吃人类剩下的食物，所以你经常能在公园里发现它们的身影。然而，在深圳，它们大多较为害羞，很容易被人吓跑。

A spotted dove rests on a branch at the OCT Wetland in Nanshan District in this file photo.

During their breeding season, which is almost all year round but with a slight preference for warmer months, they can lay up to three eggs per clutch that will be incubated by both parents for a period of two and a half weeks. Both parents tend to the young during a 10-day feeding period.

几乎全年都是珠颈斑鸠的繁殖期，多集中于温暖的季节。它们每窝产卵多达三枚，雌雄轮流孵卵，孵化期为两周半。在10天的喂养期内，双方会一同照顾幼雏。

A spotted dove is seen at the Shenzhen Bay Park in this file photo.

This dove species have been intentionally introduced to different countries due to its beauty, and in some places, it is raised on fowl farms to be consumed as a delicate dish. In any case, spotted doves are an essential part of our local urban ecosystem, and we must continue working for their preservation in our beloved city.

珠颈斑鸠由于其艳丽的外表而被专门引进不同的国家。在有些地方，它被养在养殖场里，作为一种美味的菜肴供人享用。总之，珠颈斑鸠是我们城市生态系统的一个重要组成部分，我们应该继续保护它们，让它们能够我们美丽的深圳不断繁衍。

（Translator: Zhang Wenxin 翻译：张温馨）