I’ve never really had much of an affinity for pigeons. They always too chaotic in urban spaces, not to mention the trouble they can cause for human health. But the more I explored nature, the more I realised how diverse and beautiful the pigeon family truly is. There are doves, green pigeons, and then the one that always stops me in my tracks, the beautiful Asian Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

There’s something about the Emerald Dove that I just can’t shake from my mind. It’s not a rare bird in the forest, reasonably common if you know where to look. But every time I see one, it’s like seeing it for the first time. But one rarely see it perched. They always seem to be caught in flight (I call it the bird with an agenda!) or busy on the forest path pecking on something on the ground. That glimmering green, almost unreal, catches the light like a living gem flitting through the undergrowth. It moves coy and shy, not showy, but just stunning!

For a bird from a (pigeon) family I never thought I’d admire (at one point), the Emerald Dove has completely changed my perspective. It’s a reminder that nature often hides beauty in plain sight, and that even the most overlooked families can hold something extraordinary. It’s my little emerald in the wild, and every encounter with it feels like a gift I wasn’t expecting.

Photo Logs assam beautifulbirds birdbehaviour birding birdinginIndia birdlove birdphotography birds birdsofindia birdwatching dove earthlynotes emeralddove environment forestbird ilovebirds manas nature naturelove natureobservation naturephotography naturewatch observeandlearn october theearthlynotes wildlifeofindia wildlifewatch wildlifeweek wildlifeweek2025