Abstract: Aimed to understand the eco-physiological characteristics of Streptopelia chinesis in southeast China, its individuals in Wenzhou City (27°29′N, 120°51′E) of Zhejiang Province were live-trapped by mist net, with their metabolic rate (MR), body temperature (T_b), and thermal conductance (C) at ambient temperature (T_a) 0 ℃, 6.5 ℃, 10.5 ℃, 16.5 ℃, 20 ℃, 22.5 ℃, 25 ℃, 27.5 ℃ and 30 ℃ measured. The MR was measured by using closed circuit respirometer, T_b was measured by the insertion of a digital   thermometer into cloaca, and C was calculated by using the formula C=MR/(T_b-T_a). At T_a 0 ℃-30 ℃, the T_b was relatively stable, with an average of (40.74±0.1)  ℃. The thermal neutral zone was 22.5 ℃-27.5 ℃, and the mean MR within the thermal neutral zone was (160.48±6.05) ml O₂·h^-1, accounting for 65% of the expected value from its body mass. At T_a 0 ℃-25 ℃, the C was (0.07±0.01) ml O₂·g^-1·h^-1·℃^-1, representing 122% of the expected value based on its body mass. In sum, S. chinesis had the eco-physiological characteristics of low MR, high T_b, narrow thermal neutral zone, and relatively high C, making it able to better adapt the warmer climate environment in south China.

Key words: Plant, Species diversity, Gap, Fir forest, Tibet