Collected Explanations

Chen Yuxi says: Spotted doves are found everywhere. It is said that at the spring equinox, they transform into the yellow-brown "Wait-for-Summer" bird, and at the autumn equinox, they transform back into the spotted dove. There are those with spots, those without spots, those that are grey, and both large and small varieties. Although there are these different colors, their medicinal use is the same. I once raised them for several years and never saw them transform during the spring or autumn equinoxes.
Chen Yuxi (987–1040) was a Song Dynasty scholar. Here he expresses scientific skepticism regarding the ancient folklore that certain birds transform into different species based on the seasons.

Li Shizhen says: The screeching dove is small and is said to be able to transform into a hawk, but the claim that the spotted dove transforms into the yellow-brown bird is of unknown origin. Today, the screeching doves are small and grey, while the larger ones with spots like pear blossoms do not sing well. Only those with spots on the neck resembling pearls have a loud voice and sing well; they can be used as decoys to lure other doves into nets, which is very effective. The dove is simple-minded and filial, but clumsy at building nests—often laying just a few twigs, which frequently results in the eggs falling out. When rain is coming, the male drives the female away; when the weather clears, he calls for her to return. Thus it is said: "The dove is clever yet in danger; the dove is clumsy yet at peace." Some say the male calls for sunshine and the female calls for rain.
Li Shizhen provides a detailed observation of the "pearl-necked" variety (likely the Spilopelia chinensis) and notes the bird's reputation in Chinese culture for being "clumsy" (zhuo) in its domestic habits but "filial" (xiao).

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Dove Meat

Flavor and Nature

Sweet, balanced, and non-toxic.

In traditional Chinese medicine, "sweet and balanced" suggests the ingredient is gentle and nourishing to the body's systems without causing overheating or cooling.

Main Indications

Brightens the eyes.

Eaten in quantity, it benefits the qi (vital energy).

Assists the Yin and Yang.

From the Jiayou Materia Medica

For those suffering from deficiency and wastage, eating this supplements the qi.

Kou Zongshi says

Eating it prevents a person from choking.

Li Shizhen

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Expositions

Li Shizhen says:
The formulas of Fan Wang include "Spotted Dove Pills" for treating the eyes.
The General Record of Saintly Benevolence includes "Brocade Dove Pills" for treating the eyes.
Ni Weixian stated that the spotted dove supplements the Kidney: In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kidney system is believed to store essence and support the health and clarity of the eyes., which is why it is able to brighten the eyesight. I humbly suggest that the dove...