Now you may or may not be aware that there are actually 2 types of Doves hanging around your garden. The species that is walking on the ground and seen more often is the Zebra Dove, the small one. Then, sometimes look up at the TV antenna, a dove, appeared larger! Yes, that is a much larger bird when compare to that walking on the ground but appears identical.?
That is because there is really another bird but much larger in size. Other than the differences in size, both bird share the coloring and body profile. The Spotted Dove so-called, diagnostic by the spots around its neck. Now you can examine both birds again - the differences - beside the size, lies in the pattern on their neck and of course slight variations in colors. Of course, their calls are so much different as well.
Actually the differences stretch beyond the diagnostic markings. The calls are different and the perching habits different. The Zebra Dove would be going through places on the ground, with or without human around. The Spotted will only visit the fields where there are no people. The Spotted Dove spends a long time on vantage high points for reasons I do not know. The eaves of rooftop, high TV aerials and high tension cables etc.
The Spotted Dove is also kept as a caged bird but at much reduced enthusiasms when compared with the Peaceful Dove.