Monday, January 16, 2012

Zebra Dove


Zebra doves (Geopelia striata) were introduced to Hawai'i in 1922.  They are in the, what else--Dove family (Columbidae), and are native to SE Asia.  Now, like the Myna, they are very common on Oahu, particularly in urban areas. The zebra doves are very calm and approachable birds.  In town at times it almost seems like you will trip over them underfoot. 

I remember thinking when I was a kid that a lot of "types" of living things came in "greater" and "lesser" pairs: pigeons and doves, grasshoppers and crickets, beans and peas, frogs and toads, whales and dolphins.  Of course this quickly breaks down upon closer inspection, but it did seem like a natural way to classify living organisms at the time.

Update: According to Denny's "Birds of Hawai'i," p. 12, the zebra dove was introduced from Australia.  The Australian "peaceful" dove is actually classified as a separate species, Geopelia placida.  Are the doves here in Hawai'i G. striata or G. placida

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