Knob-billed fruit-dove

Ptilinopus insolitus

Photo by Laurens Steijn (Dutch Birding)

Common name:
knob-billed fruit-dove (en); pombo-da-fruta-de-capacete (pt); ptilope casqué (fr); tilopo insólito (es); knopffruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the Bismarck archipelago of eastern Papua-New Guinea.

Size:
These birds are 22-24 cm long and weigh 115-145 g.

Habitat:
The knob-billed fruit-dove is found in forests habitat, including both dry and moist tropical forests, forests edges and disturbed area. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.

Diet:
They are frugivorous, eating wild figs and other fruits.

Breeding:
These birds can probably breed all year round. The nest is a thin platform of twigs, placed in a scrub or tree with dense foliage. The female lays a single white egg, which is incubated for about 19 days. The chicks obtain their full plumage in 2 weeks, but there is no information regarding the length of the fledging period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as common in lowland forest and less common at higher altitudes. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Seychelles blue-pigeon

Alectroenas pulcherrimus

Photo by Conrad Savy (iNaturalist)

Common name:
Seychelles blue-pigeon (en); pombo-azul-das-Seychelles (pt); founingo rougecap (fr);  paloma azul de Seychelles (es); warzenfruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the Seychelles archipelago, in the Indian Ocean, being found on the islands of Praslin, La Digue, Mahé, North, Silhouette, Frigate, Curieuse, Denis, Aride and Bird. It has also been successfully introduced to the island of Cousin.

Size:
These birds are 24-25 cm long and have a wingspan of 38-40 cm. They weigh 160-165 g.

Habitat:
The Seychelles blue-pigeon is found in tropical rainforests, both in lowland and in mountainous areas.

Diet:
They feed on fruits, berries and seeds, namely wild guavas Psidium, cinnamon berries and nuts of takamaka Calophyllum tacamahaca.

Breeding:
These birds breed mainly in October-April, but can breed all year round. The female builds the nest alone, consisting of a loose platform of twigs placed in a tree or scrub, where she lays 1-2 eggs. The eggs are incubated for about 28 days and the chicks fledge about 21 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a small breeding range and is considered to be less common than in the past. The population is suspected to be declining due to hunting and habitat destruction, but since the 1970s they stopped to be exploited for food, which allowed the recovery of some populations and even the recolonization of the islands of Curieuse, Denis, Aride and Bird. Nest predation by introduced rats and cats may also be a problem for this species.

Marquesan ground-dove

Alopecoenas rubescens

Photo by Josep del Hoyo (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
Marquesan ground-dove (en); pombo-perdiz-das-Marquesas (pt); gallicolombe des Marquises (fr); paloma-perdiz de las Marquesas (es); Marquesen-erdtaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the Marquesas islands, in French Polynesia, only occurring on the uninhabited, cat-free islets of Hatuta'a and Fatu Huku.

Size:
These birds are 20 cm long.

Habitat:
The Marquesan ground-dove is found in dry tropical forests and moist scrublands, namely Pisonia grandis groves, usually preferring the plateau of the islands and rarely descending to vegetation near the sea.

Diet:
They forge on the ground, feeding primarily on seeds such as those of Pisonia.

Breeding:
Marquesan ground-doves nest in a platform made of twigs, wehre the female lays 2 eggs. The incubation period lasts 13-15 days, but there is no information regarding the fledging period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a very small breeding range and the global population is estimated at 1.000 individuals. The population is believed to be stable at present, although some fluctuations may take place due to droughts. This species was possibly wiped out from other islands in the Marquesas archipelago due to predation by introduced cats, and the same could happen to the remaining populations if cats reach their islands. The likely effects of global warming, such as more frequent and severe weather events could pose a threat in the future.

Pacific imperial-pigeon

Ducula pacifica

(Photo from Flickr)

Common name:
Pacific imperial-pigeon (en); pombo-imperial-do-Pacífico (pt); carpophage pacifique (fr); dúcula del Pacífico (es); Tongafruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in small islands in the Pacific Ocena, from the islands of north-eastern New Guinea, through the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji, and into Tonga, American Samoa and the Cook Islands.

Size:
These birds are 36-41 cm long and weigh 370-420 g.

Habitat:
The Pacific imperial-pigeon is found in moist tropical forests and in scrublands, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on fruits, but also take some leaves and flowers.

Breeding:
These birds breed in January-September. The nest is an untidy platform of twigs, with no lining, concealed in the tree canopy 8-25 m above the ground. There the female lays a single white egg, which is incubated for 19-21 days. The chick fledges about 20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as common in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, common to abundant in Vanuatu, uncommon in Tokelau, Niue and American Samoa, rare on New Caledonia and locally common in the Cook Islands. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation.

Topknot pigeon

Lopholaimus antarcticus

Photo by Ian Colley (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
topknot pigeon (en); pombo-de-penacho (pt); carpophage à double huppe (fr); paloma de penacho (es); hauben-fruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to eastern Australia, being found along the coast from northern Queensland to eastern Victoria.

Size:
These birds 40-46 cm long and weigh 475-600 g.

Habitat:
The topknot pigeon is found in rainforests, temperate forests and dry tropical forests, also using second growths and exotic tree and scrub stands such as camphor laurel and privet.

Diet:
They are frugivorous, taking a wide range of fruits and berries, including those of exotic species such as camphor laurel.

Breeding:
Topknot pigeons breed in June-January. They are monogamous and nest in solitary pairs. the nest is a flimsy platform of stick, placed in the crown of a tree, among bushy branches or vines, 2-12 m above the ground. The female lays 1 egg which is incubated by both sexes for about 24 days. The chicks are fed regurgitated crop milk by both parents and fledge about 24 days after hatching.

Conservation:IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as common, but the population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation.

Wompoo fruit-dove

Megaloprepia magnifica

(Photo from FollowPics)

Common name:
wompoo fruit-dove (en); pombo-da-fruta-magnífico (pt); ptilope magnifique (fr); tilopo magnífico (es); langschwanz-fruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found throughout New Guina and along the north-eastern coast of Australia from Cape york in northern Queensland to Sidney in New South Wales.

Size:
These birds are 29-45 cm long and weigh 250-500 g.

Habitat:
The wompoo fruit-dove is found in tropical rainforests and adjacent wet sclerophyll forests, as well as in second growths, pastures and farmland with scattered trees. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.400 m.

Diet:
These birds are frugivorous, taking a wide range of forest fruits such as figs, fruits of cinnamon trees and palm fruits. They have been recorded taking the fruits of Arecaceae,
Vitaceae, Araliaceae, Cunoniaceae, Ebenaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae,Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, Pennantiaceae, Rutaceae and Sapindaceae.

Breeding:
Wompoo fruit-doves can probably breed all year round. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a small, sturdy platform made of twigs, placed in a tree 2-10 m above the ground. There the female lays a single white egg which is incubated by both sexes for 18-21 days. The chicks fledge 2-3 weeks after hatching. Each pair raises a single chick per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and common to fairly common. The population is suspected to be in decline and became, locally extinct in the southernmost parts of its range owing to ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation, and unsustainable levels of exploitation.

White-faced quail-dove

Geptrygon albifacies

Photo by Michael Retter (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
white-faced quail-dove (en); juriti-de-faces-brancas (pt); colombe des nuages (fr); paloma-perdiz cariblanca (es); sclatertaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found from central and southern Mexico south to northwestern Nicaragua.

Size:
These birds are 28-36 cm long and weigh 180-300 g.

Habitat:
The white-faced quail-dove is found in humid evergreen and pine evergreen mountain forests, also using shade coffee plantations. They occur at altitudes of 1.000-2.700 m.

Diet:
They possibly feed on fallen fruits, seeds and perhaps also insects and other small invertebrates, like other similar quail-doves.

Breeding:
These birds can possibly breed all year round, but with a peak in March-June. The nest is a frail platform of sticks, well concealed among the forest undergrowth, 0,5-6 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 pale buff eggs, which are incubated for 11-13 days. There is no information regarding the fledgling period.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and a global population estimated at 50.000-500.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction in many parts of their range.

Pink-headed fruit-dove

Ptilinopus porphyreus

(Photo from Federação Ornitológica Catarinense)

Common name:
pink-headed fruit-dove (en); pombo-da-fruta-de-cabeça-rosa (pt); ptilope porphyre (fr); tilopo cuellirosa (es); rothals-flaumfußtaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Indonesia, being found in the mountain chains of Sumatra, Java and Bali.

Size:
These birds are 28-29 cm long.

Habitat:
The pink-headed fruit-dove is mostly found in mountain rainforests and high-altitude scrublands, occasionally also using exotic tree plantations. They are present at altitudes of 1.200-2.800 m.

Diet:
They feed on small fruits and berries, particularly figs.

Breeding:
These birds breed in March-October. The male builds the nest, consisting of an untidy platform made of twigs and placed in a fork in a tree. There the female lays a single eggs which is incubated by both parents for 15-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 20-23 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range is described as rather uncommon, although locally abundant in suitable habitat in Sumatra and uncommon in Java and Bali. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction through large-scale deforestation, particularly at lower altitudes.

Jambu fruit-dove

Ptilinopus jambu

Photo by Eddy Lee (Flickr)

Common name:
jambu fruit-dove (en); pombo-da-fruta-do-jambo (pt); ptilope jambou (fr); tilope jambú (es); jambufruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Thailand and Myanmar, through Malaysia and into Sumatra, Borneo and a few nearby islands in Indonesia.

Size:
These birds are 23-28 cm long and weigh about 40 g.

Habitat:
Jambu fruit-doves are mainly found in moist tropical forests and mangroves, but are also able to use second growths. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They feed on various fruits, which are either taken directly from the tree or by colecting from the ground fruits dropped by hornbills and monkeys.

Breeding:
The jambu fruit-dove is monogamous. The nest is built by the female consisting of a flimsy plastform made of twigs, roots and grasses interwoven with the branches of a tree or scrub. There she lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated for about 20 days. The chicks are fed crop milk by both parents and fledge 10-12 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as generally uncommon, although locally and seasonally common and very rare in Java. The population is suspected to be declining at a moderately rapid rate, mainly due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as hunting pressure. Forest destruction in the Sundaic lowlands of Indonesia and Malaysia has been extensive, because of a variety of factors including the escalation of logging and land conversion, plus forest fires, and declines are compounded by trapping for the cage-bird trade. However, its ability use of secondary growth and higher elevations implies that it is not immediately threatened.

Grey-headed quail-dove

Geotrygon caniceps

(Photo from Bird Forum)

Common name:
grey-headed quail-dove (en); juriti-de-cabeça-cinzenta (pt); colombe de Gundlach (fr); camao (es); Gundlachtaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. In Cuba it may still occur in patches throughout the country, but mainly on the Zapata Peninsula and Sierra del Rosario. In the Dominican Republic they occur on the Cordillera Central, Sierra de Baoruco and Sierra de Neiba. It possibly also occurred in Haiti until the early 20th century, but was extirpated by extensive habitat destruction.

Size:
These birds are 26-30 cm long and weigh 210 g.

Habitat:
The grey-headed quail-dove is mostly found in dry, limestone-based forests, but also uses rainforests, swamp forests and coffee plantations. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.800 m.


Diet:
They forage on the ground, taking seeds and some small invertebrates.

Breeding:
These birds are monogamous and may pair for life. They breed in January-August, nesting in a loose bowl made of leaves, placed on the ground among the forest undergrowth. There the female lays 1-2 beige-coloured eggs which are incubated for about 13 days. The chicks fledge about 2 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a relatively large but patchy breeding range. The global population is estimated at 1.500-7.000 individuals and is suspected to be declining rapidly, owing to habitat loss and hunting pressure. Habitat destruction as nearly wiped out this species on the Cordillera Central and Sierra de Neiba, mainly through the expansion of cacao, coffee and tobacco production. Further threats include dry-season burning, drainage, agricultural expansion and introduced predators, as well as heavy hunting in Cuba for human consumption. Conservation action include a hunting ban in the Dominican republic since the 1970s and a number of nature reserves in both Cuba and the Dominican Republic, although few are afforded strict protection.

African olive-pigeon

Columba arquatrix

Photo by Adam Riley (Stellenbosch Birds)

Common name:
African olive-pigeon (en); pombo-d'olho-amarelo (pt); pigeon rameron (fr); paloma ojigualda (es); oliventaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This African species is patchily distributed from Ethiopia, through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique into eastern and southern South Africa, and through Zambia and southern D.R. Congo into Angola.

Size:
These birds are 37-42 cm long and weigh 300-450 g.

Habitat:
The African olive-pigeon is mostly found in moist tropical forests and riverine forests, also using mangroves, scrublands, alien tree plantations and urban gardens and parks where there are plentiful fruit trees and scrubs. They are present at altitudes of 300-3.200 m.

Diet:
They feed almost exclusively on the fruits of a wide variety of native and alien plant species, also taking some fallen seeds an nuts occasionally.

Breeding:
These birds can breed all year round. They are monogamous and both sexes help build the nest, a circular platform of twigs, with a depression in the middle, sometimes lined with leaves. It is placed in a fork in a tree up to 15 m above the ground. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 17-20 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 19-20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large but patchy breeding range and is reported to be uncommon to frequent and locally common. The population is suspected to be declining overall owing to hunting and habitat loss, although it has increased in South Africa owing to protective measures.

Pink pigeon

Nesoenas mayeri

Photo by Charlie Moores (New Scientist)

Common name:
pink pigeon (en); pombo-rosado (pt); pigeon rose (fr); paloma de Mauricio (es); rosentaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Mauritius, at present being restricted to the Black River Gorges, in the south-western part of the island, and to Ile aux Aigrettes, just off the eastern coast.

Size:
These birds are 36-40 cm long and weigh 290-350 g.

Habitat:
Pink pigeons are mostly found in native evergreen tropical forests and scrublands, but also use grove of exotic trees such as the Japanese red cedar Cryptomeria japonica. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 800 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the flowers, buds, fruits, leaves and seeds of native flora, but also consume exotic plants.

Breeding:
The pink pigeon can breed in all year round, but especially in August-March. They are monogamous and both sexes help build the nest, a flimsy platform placed in the upper canopy of a tree. The female lays 2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 14 days. The chicks are fed crop milk and seeds by both parents and fledge about 4 weeks after hatching. They only become fully independent several weeks after fledging. Each pair can raise up to 5 broods per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - EN (Endangered)
This species has a very small breeding range and a global population estimated at just 240-260 individuals. Through habitat destruction and predation by exotic mammals this species declined to just 10 individuals by 1990, but it has since recovered thanks to conservation efforts and the current trend seems to fluctuate with some sub-populations in decline, while others are stable or increasing. The main threats affecting this species are still habitat loss and predation by introduced crab-eating macaques Macaca fascicularis, mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus, rats and feral cats. other threats include the disease Trichomonosis brought to Mauritius by alien pigeons, and inbreeding depression due to the small population size. Conservation efforts underway include a captive breeding and reintroduction programme, habitat restoration, control of exotic predators, supplementary feeding, nest guarding, rescue of eggs and young from failing nests, control of disease and monitoring of survival and productivity. The population is managed to maximise genetic diversity and counter the effects of inbreeding depression, with birds moved beetween subpopulations, and there are plans to release three additional populations.

Pheasant pigeon

Otidiphaps nobilis

Photo by Greg Hume (Wikipedia)

Common name:
pheasant pigeon (en); pombo-faisão (pt); otidiphaps noble (fr); paloma faisán (es); fasanentaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the island of New Guinea, both in Indonesia and Papua-New Guinea, including several nearby islands.

Size:
These birds are 45-50 cm long and weigh 500 g.

Habitat:
The pheasant pigeon is only found in primary rainforests, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.900 m.

Diet:
They forage on the forest floor, taking seeds and fallen fruits.

Breeding:
Pheasant pigeons breed on the ground, beneath a tree or scrub. The female lays a single egg which is incubated for 28-35 days. The chicks fledge 28-30 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, it is described as often fairly common in hilly areas, but locally scarce. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Rock pigeon

Columba livia

Photo by Mustafa Sozen (Trek Nature)

Common name:
rock pigeon (en); pombo-das-rochas (pt); pigeon biset (fr); paloma bravía (es); felsentaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species originates from western and southern Europe, North Africa, and south-western Asia as far east as India. Due to its domestic use and tremendous ability to thrive in human settlements, feral rock pigeon populations are now present in most cities throughout Europe, North America, central and southern Asia, south-eastern and south-western Australia, New Zealand, southern South America and in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Size:
These birds are 29-37 cm long and have a wingspan of 62-72 cm. They weigh 240-380.

Habitat:
Wild rock pigeons are mostly found in cliffs and caves, most often near the coast, also using scrublands, second growths, pastures and arable land. Feral rock pigeons favour agricultural and urban areas. This species is present from sea level up to an altitude of 4.500 m.

Diet:
They feed on various seeds, namely domestic crops such as corn, oats and barley, and also small fruits such as cherries. They also eat garbage in urban areas.

Breeding:
Rock pigeons can breed all year round, but especially during spring and summer. They are monogamous and often mate for life. The nest is built by the male, consisting of a flimsy platform of straw and sticks, placed on a rocky ledge in a cliff face, or on a ledge in a building, often under cover. The female lays 2 white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 17-19 days. The chicks are fed crop milk and seeds by both parents, fledging about 30 days after hatching. They reach sexual maturity at 5-6 months of age.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and a global population estimated at 260 million individuals. The population size is suspected to be decreasing owing to interbreeding with domestic pigeons.

White-tipped dove

Leptotila verreauxi

(Photo from The Trinidad and Tobago Naturelink)

Common name:
white-tipped dove (en); juriti-pupu (pt); colombe de Verreaux (fr); paloma montaraz común (es); blauringtaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found from southern Texas and Mexico, through most of Central America and northern South America down to western Peru and central Argentina.

Size:
These birds are 26-29 cm long and weigh 155-215 g.

Habitat:
The white-tipped dove is mostly found in dry tropical forests, also using moist tropical forests, scrublands, second growths, pastures and arable land. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.800 m.

Diet:
They feed on various seeds and grains, fruits and other vegetable matter, also taking some small insects.

Breeding:
White-tipped doves can breed all year round. The nest is made of twigs and unlined. It is placed in a tree or scrub, on a coffee plants or sometimes at the entrance of a limestone cave, usually 1-3 m above the ground. There the female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated for 14 days. The chicks fledge 15 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as common. The population in North America is increasing, but it represents just a very small portion of the global populations.

Ruddy quail-dove

Geotrygon montana

Photo by Kim Hansen (Wikipedia)

Common name:
ruddy quail-dove (en); pariri (pt); colombe rouviolette (fr); paloma-perdiz rojiza (es); rote erdtaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found from central Mexico to northern Argentina and Uruguay, as well as in the Caribbean.

Size:
These birds are 21-28 cm long and weigh 110-140 g.

Habitat:
The ruddy quail-dove is mostly found in the understorey of lowland rainforests, also using second growths, semi-deciduous forests and coffee and cacao plantations. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.600 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground, taking fallen fruits and also some seeds and nuts. They are also know to sometimes eat small slugs.

Breeding:
Ruddy quail-doves breed in February-August. The nest is a bowl-shaped structure, made of small twigs and leaves, which is usually placed on the flat top of an old stump or on horizontal fallen trees and branches. The female lays 2 cream or buffy eggs which are incubated by both parents for 11 days. The chicks are raised by both parents and fledge 2 weeks after hatching. Each pair raises 2 broods per season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and has a global population estimated at 5-50 million individuals. The ruddy quail-dove is suspected to lose 16-19% of suitable habitat within its range over the next 15 years based on a model of Amazonian deforestation.

Common bronzewing

Phaps chalcoptera

Photo by Graham Little (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
common bronzewing (en); pombo-d'asa-bronzeada (pt); colombine lumachelle (fr); paloma bronceada común (es); bronzeflügeltaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Australia, being found throughout the country, including in Tasmania.

Size:
These birds are 30-36 cm long and have a wingspan of 50-58 cm. They weigh 230-390 g.

Habitat:
The common bronzewing is found in almost any habitat type within their range, with the exception of the most barren deserts and the densest rainforests. They show some preference for open woodlands with low scrub cover, especially near water sources, also being common in parks and gardens.

Diet:
They eat various seeds and other plant matter, which they collect from the ground.

Breeding:
Common bronzewings can breed all year round. They nest in an untidy nest of sticks and twigs, which is normally placed low down in a tree or scrub, but may be up to 20 m above the ground. The female lays 2-3 creamy-white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 14-17 days. The chicks are fed crop milk and seeds by both parents and fledge 20-30 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has avery large breeding range and is described as common to abundant. The population is believed to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or threats.

White-crowned pigeon

Patagioenas leucocephala

Photo by Cory Gregory (See You At Sunrise...)

Common name:
white-crowned pigeon (en); pombo-de-coroa-branca (pt); pigeon à couronne blanche (fr); paloma coronita (es); weißkopftaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in the northern Caribbean, from the Bahamas to Guadeloupe, and also in southern Florida and along the eastern coasts of Central America from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to northern Panama.

Size:
These birds are 30-40 cm long and have a wingspan of 50-60 cm. They weigh 150-310 g.

Habitat:
The white-crowned pigeon is mostly found in mangroves, especially in isolated offshore islets, but also use coastal rainforests and tropical dry forests, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.500 m.

Diet:
They feed on a wide range of fruits and berries, and are also known to take some insects, such as wasps and flies, as well as small snails.

Breeding:
White-crowned pigeons breed in April-September. The nest is a loose platform of twigs, lined with smaller twigs, placed most often on a mangrove tree over water. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 13-14 days. The chicks are fed crop milk and fruits by both parents, fledging 17-25 days after hatching. When food is abundant, each pair may raise up to 4 broods in a season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 100.000-1.000.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be declining as a result of habitat degradation and unsustainable levels of hunting, both legal and illegal. Collision with man-made objects is a major source of mortality in Florida, and pesticide use and human impact may also have detrimental effects.

Speckled pigeon

Columba guinea

Photo by Marco Valentini (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
speckled pigeon (en); pombo-da-Guiné (pt); pigeon roussard (fr); paloma de Guinea (es); Guineataube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, with two disjunct populations. The more northern population is found from Senegal and guinea east to southern Sudan and Ethiopia, and through Kenya, Uganda and eastern D.R. Congo into Tanzania. The more southern population is found from southern Angola and Zimbabwe down to South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 32-41 cm long and weigh 250-350 g.

Habitat:
The speckled pigeon is mostly found in dry savannas, but also in rocky mountainous areas, dry scrublands and grasslands, hot deserts, agricultural areas and also within urban areas. This species is present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.000 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on seeds, namely from wild grasses and cultivated crops such as sunflower, wheat, sorghum, maize and ground nuts. They are also known to eat fruits, flowers, leaves and acorns.

Breeding:
Speckles pigeons can breed all year round, mostly late in the local dry season. They can nest singly or in colonies, the nests consisting of a loose cup or platform of twigs lined with grasses, herbs and sometimes wire and other human refuse. The nest can be placed on ledges of cliffs, in caves, gullies, trees, or often in buildings. The female lays 1-3 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 14-18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents, initially only crop milk but later also small pieces of food. They fledge 20-37 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as common in most of this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats and they are known to adapt very well to living with humans as they often nests and roosts in buildings.

African green-pigeon

Treron calvus

(Photo from Cousin Pascal)

Common name:
African green-pigeon (en); pombo-verde-africano (pt); columbar à front nu (fr); vinago africano (es); nacktgesicht-grüntaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in sub-Saharan Africa, from Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan and south to South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 23-30 cm long. The males tend to be larger, weighing 160-285 g while the females weigh 130-225 g.

Habitat:
The African green-pigeon is found in a wide range of habitats, including moist tropical forests in both lowlands and mountainous areas, riparian forests, moist scrublands, dry savannas, rural gardens and arable land.

Diet:
They feed on various fruits and berries, especially wild figs, but also saffrons, jacket plum, buffalo thorn, water berry, jackalberry and exotic species such as loquats and mulberries. Sometimes they also eat carrion.

Breeding:
These birds can breed all year round, but mostly during summer. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a weak platform made of sticks, placed in a fork in a tree. The female lays 1-2 eggs which are incubated for 13-14 days. The chicks fledge about 12 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range is reported to be frequent to locally abundant. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.