This species is mainly coastal. It favours mangrove habitats, but is also found along rocky and sandy coasts, coral reefs, harbours, breakwaters and jetties (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is occasionally found at inland wetlands, including water-filled rubbish dumps, sewage treatment plants and gravel pits (Richardson 1990). The species forages mainly in stands of Black Mangroves Avicennia marina. In Arabia, it has only been observed to feed on fish, but elsewhere it also takes crabs, shrimps and other invertebrates (Jennings 2010). The breeding period lasts over spring and summer; the species may be double-brooded. Nests are loose structures of sticks and algae, which are hidden in bushes or rock crevices. The clutch size is not known; evidence from the Red Sea suggest that clutches contain four eggs (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in fresh and brackish water, favouring lagoons, sewage treatment plants and open swampy ground (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration and in winter, it is found in any wetland and on the coast (Jennings 2010). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE or in Arabia; elsewhere the diet includes adult and larval aquatic insects, molluscs, crustaceans, spiders, oligochaete and polychaete worms, tadpoles and amphibian spawn, small fish, fish eggs and occasionally seeds (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The breeding season lasts from April to June or July (Jennings 2010). The species breeds in loose colonies in undisturbed areas on small islets in shallow lagoons, close to foraging sites (Johnsgard 1981, Jennings 2010). The nest is a depression or shallow scrape in sandy substrate with only little lining; alternatively, it may be a more elaborate platform of plantmaterial constructed on a floating mass of aquatic vegetation (Flint et al. 1984, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998, Jennings 2010). Nests are usually situated low above the water line (Jennings 2010). Clutches contain four eggs (Jennings 2010). The species is typically gregarious, occurring in small groups or larger flocks of several hundred up to a thousand individuals on migration, during the winter and at nightly roosts (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998).

This species is closely associated to humans. It occurs on farmland as well as in gardens and parks in villages or towns (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Its recent range expansion in Arabia was likely facilitated by the spread of agriculture and irrigation into previously arid areas (Jennings 2010). It mainly feeds on the ground, taking seeds and cereal grain, but also human food waste like bread crumbs or rice, and may also take invertebrates (Jennings 2010). It roosts communally in large flocks of up to 1,000 individuals, often together with Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis, House Crow Corvus splendens and House Sparrow Passer domesticus (Jennings 2010). It breeds throughout the entire year, with the peak activity recorded in March to May. The nest is made of twigs, rootlets and grass, and is placed in a bush or tree, but occasionally also in reeds, rock crevices and abandoned kestrel nests, or in human structures like on window ledges, towers, old vehicles and heaps of barbed wire (Jennings 2010). Hybridisation with other doves has been suggested, but not conclusively proven (Jennings 2010). Though generally resident, some seasonal movements have been recorded (Jennings 2010).

This species inhabits the coastline on shingle, sandy and muddy beaches, shallow tidal mudflats, saline wetlands and lagoons (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is occasionally found further inland at pools of brackish or freshwater, reservoirs, sewage treatment plants and near livestock enclosures (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It feeds on invertebrates like ants, bees, beetles, flies, maggots, decapod crustaceans and shrimps, which it takes from decaying algal mats or other marine detritus on the shore or from irrigated crop fields (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, the species breeds in spring and early summer, with most eggs laid in April and May; however, the breeding season may start earlier, with one record of chicks already in December (Jennings 2010). Preferred nesting sites include dry sandy or shingle patches near the coast or wetlands, where territories are established and aggressively defended (Jennings 2010). The nest is a shallow scrape in the sand or shingle, sometimes paved with small pebbles or shell and plant material arranged around it (Jennings 2010). Clutches contain usually three eggs (Jennings 2010). Eggs and nestlings suffer high rates of predation by rodents, foxes and terns (Jennings 2010).

The species inhabits fertile, well-vegetated wadis with good availability of water. It is increasingly found in open cultivated country with scattered trees, such as irrigated fields and grass meadows, but also plantations, parks, gardens and even golf courses (Jennings 2010). It mainly feeds on the rich invertebrate fauna found in these habitats, which it takes by pouncing from lookout posts (Jennings 2010). In the UAE, cases of kleptoparasitism have been recorded (Jennings 2010). Pairs are monogamous, territorial and stay together throughout the year. Territories are defended by display flights, which include almost vertical flights and high dives, which are performed by the male or the pair together (Jennings 2010). Breeding takes place between April and June. Clutches contain three to four eggs (Jennings 2010). The nest is a thin pad made of grass, twigs, rags and feathers. It is placed in a tree cavity at least 2 m above the ground, particularly on old Ghaf Prosopis cinerea trees and date palms (Jennings 2010). The species competes for nest holes with exotic species like Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri and mynas Acridotheres spp. (Jennings 2010).

This species occurs in rocky wadis with scattered acacia trees, in coastal plains and open country with trees, semi-desert, mountain sides, cultivations, parks and gardens (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is not able to tolerate very dry environments (Jennings 2010). It feeds on aerial prey (bees, wasps, flies, locusts, moths and butterflies) by chasing them in short flights (Jennings 2010). Pairs form in winter and early spring, but pairs may stay together throughout the year (Jennings 2010). The breeding period lasts from February to July, with most activity occurring in April and May (Jennings 2010). Pairs are territorial and breed solitarily, excavating a nesting tunnel horizontally into a bank of sand, silk or earth, including artificial banks and trenches (Jennings 2010). Eggs are placed directly into a brood chamber at the end of the tunnel. In the UAE, pairs raise two to three juveniles (Jennings 2010). There is evidence that the species has two broods per season in the UAE (Jennings 2010).

This species inhabits brackish or freshwater ponds with dense vegetation in the water and on the borders, particularly reed beds, marshes and ditches (Richardson 1990, Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, it may also occupy mangroves, saline lakes and tidal pools (Jennings 2010). It forages in shallow water, in mud or on land, where it takes items from the water surface or from the ground (Jennings 2010). The species regularly uses well-defined paths between favoured food sources within its habitat (Snow and Perrins 1998, Jennings 2010). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it is omnivorous, its diet consisting predominantly of animal matter such as worms, leeches, molluscs, shrimps, crayfish, spiders, terrestrial and aquatic insects and larvae, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998, Taylor 1998). It also takes plant matter including shoots, roots, seeds, berries and fruits (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species's breeding biology in the UAE and elsewhere in Arabia is poorly known. Based on calling activity on the Saudi Arabian coast of the Arabian Gulf, the breeding period likely starts in February with territory establishment and pair formation; chicks may hatch in April and May and most juveniles are observed in July and August (Jennings 2010). Usually, the nest is a substantial cup of vegetation that is usually positioned in thick stands of reeds or rushes on the ground in or near water, or rarely on a tree stump or in the open (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Taylor 1998).

The species inhabits open grasslands, also in agricultural areas. It tolerates scattered bushes, but avoids extensive bushy cover, forests, rocks or wetlands (Jennings 2010, Madge and de Juana 2017). Its diet consists mainly of plant seeds, vegetable matter and invertebrates, which it takes from the ground (Jennings 2010). Based on observations of pairs, courtship behaviour, copulations and the collection of nesting material, it is assumed that the species breeds in the UAE since the 1990s (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017). However, a conclusive proof is lacking to date, as no nest has been observed within the UAE (Jennings 2010). Elsewhere in general, the nest is placed on the ground, hidden among vegetation. It is entirely built by the female. The clutch, usually four to six eggs, is incubated by the female alone. The incubation period is 12-“14 days. The chicks are fed by the female (with the male in attendance) and leave the nest after 9-“13 often before being able to fly (Madge and de Juana 2017).

The species is found in open areas in dry, rocky habitats with sparse low scrubby and herbaceous vegetation (Jennings 2010), like hillsides, wadis and stony desert (Aspinall and Porter 2011). While it avoids damp, densely vegetated areas, regular access to pools and waterholes are of importance (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011); a peculiarity of this species is its habit of pecking at car mirrors in the desert, possibly because the reflections are mistaken for water bodies (Jennings 2010). It mostly feeds on small seeds, which it takes on the ground or in low vegetation (Jennings 2010, Clement 2016). Outside the breeding season, it forms large flocks and forages across larger distances in desert plains (Jennings 2010). The breeding season lasts from February to June. The species is monogamous; the male aggressively defends the female (Jennings 2010). While no nest has been described yet from the UAE, elsewhere it is made of grass or twigs and is set in a shallow depression in the ground, under a rock, shrub or grass tussock (Jennings 2010). Clutches usually consist of four to six eggs.

This species uses a wide variety of habitats from wadis and hills, even in dry desert areas, but also occupies to grassland and scrub, cultivated land, palm groves and gardens (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It tolerates hot, dry conditions (Jennings 2010). The home range spans at least 3 km², but is likely larger in rural populations (Jennings 2010). It forages in flocks, mainly taking seeds of reed (Phragmites sp.) and grass (Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum) and in urban areas also visits bird tables (Jennings 2010). Occasionally, it forms mixed flocks with House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis (Jennings 2010). Nesting activity has been observed year-round (Jennings 2010), but seems to peak in January/February (Richardson 1990). Nests are ball-like structures consisting of grass, plant fibers and leaves, which are placed in a bush or tree (Jennings 2010). Occasionally, pairs occupy abandoned nests of other species (Jennings 2010). There is no information on clutch size in the UAE; elsewhere clutches contain three to eight eggs (Payne 2019). The species is a popular cagebird; some isolated populations likely originate from escaped or released cagebirds (Richardson 1990). Some individuals in these colonies had been colour-dyed, which is a common practice to make them more attractive for the pet trade (Jennings 2010).