Red-billed pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Photo by Michael Woodruff (Wikipedia)

Common name:

red-billed-pigeon (en); pombo-de-bico-vermelho (pt); pigeon à bec rouge (fr); paloma piquirroja (es); rotschnabeltaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

The red-billed pigeon is found from southern Texas, United States, and north-western Mexico south to Costa Rica.

Size:

This species is 33-36 cm long and has a wingspan of 58-61 cm. They weigh 230 g.

Habitat:

They are found in river woodlands and tall brush, namely undisturbed native woods, of hackberry, mesquite, huisache, ebony, and other trees. They are also found in dry woodlands of various types, generally avoiding more humid regions of rain forest. They are present from the lowlands up to an altitude of 2.100 m.

Diet:

Red-billed pigeons mostly eat wild fruits and berries, including those of hackberry, mistletoe, wild fig, but also a wide range of seeds and nuts.

Breeding:

These birds can breed all year round. The nest is a flimsy platform of sticks, lined with grasses and stems, placed in an horizontal fork 8-30 m above the ground. There the female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 18-20 days. The chicks are fed crop milk and solid foods by both parents, fledging 22-25 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a large breeding range and a global population of 2 million individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation

Brown cuckoo-dove

Macropygia amboinensis

Photo by Julian Robinson (Tree of Life)

Common name:

brown cuckoo-dove (en); rola-cuco-castanha (pt); phasianelle d'Amboine (fr); tórtola-cuco pechirrosa (es); dunkle kuckuckstaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is found from the Philippines, south through Borneo and Sumatra, through the Moluccas and Sulawesi into New Guinea. They are also found in Australia, throughout north-eastern and eastern Queensland, including off-shore islands, and eastern coastal areas of New South Wales.

Size:

The brown cuckoo-dove is 35-43 cm long and weighs 240 g.

Habitat:

This species is mostly found in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, particularly at the forest edges, along creeks and rivers. They can also be found in secondary growth forests, forest clearings and in abandoned farmland and scrubland.

Diet:

The brown cuckoo-dove feeds on a wide variety of fruits, berries and seeds. They usually feed in the trees, often hanging upside down to reach fruit.

Breeding:

This species mostly breeds in July-December, but probably all year round. The nest consists of a flat platform of twigs, sticks and vines, placed either in a fork of a tree or on top of a low tree. There the female lays 1-2 creamy white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 16-18 days. The chicks are cared for by both parents and fledge about 16 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is described as frequent to common. The population is suspected to be stable and may be expanding in range as it may benefit from disturbance to habitat by logging and track-making.

Eared dove

Zenaida auriculata

Photo by Cláudio Timm (Flickr)

Common name:

eared dove (en); avoante (pt); tourterelle oreillarde (fr); tórtola torcaza (es); ohrflecktaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

The eared dove is a resident breeder throughout South America from Colombia to southern Argentina and Chile, and on the offshore islands from the Grenadines southwards. It may be a relatively recent colonist of Tobago and Trinidad.

Size:

These birds are 22-25 cm long and weigh 100-120 g.

Habitat:

The eared dove is found in savannas, secondary growth scrubs and other open areas, including agricultural land. They readily adapt to human habitation, being seen on wires and telephone posts near towns and even in public spaces of large urban areas. These birds are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:

These granivores eat the seeds of a wide variety of wild plants, but also consume maize, wheat, rice, and soybeans which form the bulk of their diet in agricultural areas.

Breeding:

Eared doves can breed all year round, the exact breeding season varying between different parts of their range. They build a small stick nest several meters up in a tree, where the female lays 2 white eggs. The eggs are incubated for 12-14 days and the chicks fledge about 9 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, it is described as common. The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat, so this species is not threatened at present.

Luzon bleeding-heart

Gallicolumba luzonica

Photo by Ken Ilio (Flickr)

Common name:

Luzon bleeding-heart (en); coração-sangrante-de-Luzon (pt); gallicolombe poignardée (fr); corazón sangrante de Luzón (es); Luzon-dolchstichtaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is endemic to the central and southern regions of Luzon and the smaller offshore island Polillo, in The Philippines.

Size:

The Luzon bleeding-heart is 30 cm long and has a wingspan of 38 cm. They weigh 180-190 g.

Habitat:

They are mostly found in primary and secondary forests from sea level up to an altitude of 1.400 m.

Diet:

They feed on seeds, fallen berries and a variety of insects and worms found on the forest floor.

Breeding:

These monogamous birds usually pair for life. They nest in May-August, building a cup-shaped nest out of twigs and other plant material. The is placed on bushes or creeping plants, not far from the ground. There the female lays 2 creamy white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 15-17 days. The chicks are fed crop-milk by both parents and fledge 10-14 days after hatching, but stay with their parents for up to 3 months.

Conservation:

IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)

This species has a restricted breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is described as usually rather scarce or rare. There are no data on population trends; however, the species is suspected to be declining at a moderate rate, owing to habitat degradation and hunting. These birds are trapped for meat and for sale in the pet trade and in recent years a lot of land was damaged with the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Logging is the main cause of habitat degradation for this species.

Band-tailed pigeon

Columba fasciata

Common name:

band-tailed pigeon (en); pombo-de-cauda-barreada (pt); pigeon à queue barrée (fr); paloma torcaza (es); schuppenhalstaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This American species is found breeding for British Columbia, in Canada, trough the western parts of the United States, always west of the Rocky mountains, into Central America, and through the western parts of South America, all the way south to Argentina.

Size:

Band-tailed pigeons are 34-39 cm long and have a wingspan of 64-68 cm. They weigh 250-340 g.

Habitat:

This species breeds in wet coniferous forests along the Pacific Coast and in mixed evergreen forests. They are also found in dry mountain coniferous forests of the interior, and in urban and suburban areas. It is usually present at altitudes of 900-3.600 m.

Diet:

An omnivore, the band-tailed pigeon will eat the nuts, seeds, berries, blossoms, but also insects. When in season it is also known to eat domestic crops such as cherries, berries, oats, barley and wheat.

Breeding:

These birds breed in March-June. The female builds a flat, loose nest on the ground, in low bushes, or in the fork of lower tree branches. Nesting materials are provided by the male and consist mainly of twigs and pine needles. The female lays 1, rarely 2 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 18-20 days. The chicks fledge 28-30 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and a global population estimated at 4 million individuals. This species was hunted to low numbers in the beginning of the 20th century, but since then recovered, following hunting regulations. The population is believed to be currently facing a very small decline, which is not sufficient to cause the species to be considered threatened.

Black-backed fruit-dove

Ptilinopus cinctus

Common name:

black-backed fruit-dove (en); pombo-da-fruta-de-dorso-negro (pt); ptilope à ceinture (fr); tilopo dorsinegro (es); weißkopf-flaumfußtaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is found in Indonesia, in Bali, Lombik, Sumbawa, Flores, Pantar and Alor, in East Timor and in western Australia.

Size:

This large pigeon is 38–44 cm long and weighs 450-570 g.

Habitat:

The black-backed fruit-dove is mostly found in primary evergreen tropical rainforests. They may be found, to a lesser extent, in secondary forests.

Diet:

This frugivore only eats fruits and berries, especially figs.

Breeding:

The black-backed fruit-dove nests on an open platform of sticks in a forest tree, where the female lays 1 egg. The egg is incubated for 21 days and the chicks fledge 14 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, the species is described as locally common over much of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Emerald-spotted wood dove

Turtur chalcospilo

Photo by Johann Grobelaar (Biodiversity Explorer)

Common name:

emerald-spotted wood dove (en); rola-esmeraldina (pt); tourtelette émeraudine (fr); palomita aliverde (es); bronzeflecktäubchen (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

They are found from south-east Sudan, Ethiopia and West Somalia, south through eastern Africa and into northern Namibia, northern Botswana, Mozambique and eastern South Africa. they are also found in coastal Gabon and south-west Angola.

Size:

Emerald-spotted wood doves are 19-20 cm long and weigh about 65 g.

Habitat:

This species generally prefers closed woodland, thicket in open woodland, arid savanna, dry sand forest, valley bushveld, gardens and orchards.

Diet:

They forage on sparsely vegetated ground, feeding on invertebrates like snails and termites, on small seeds and fallen fruits.

Breeding:

Emerald-spotted wood doves are monogamous, only changing partners if one bird dies. they breed in February-September and the nest is a flimsy platform of twigs, stems and roots placed in a tree or bush. There the female lays 1-2 cream-coloured eggs which are mostly incubated by the female for 13-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge at the age of 15-17 days.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as abundant throughout its very large breeding range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, and is reported to adapt readily to man-made habitats.

Turtle dove

Streptopelia turtur

Photo by Roger Wyatt (Focusing on Wildlife)

Common name:

turtle dove (en); rola-comum (pt); tourterelle des bois (fr); tórtola europaea (es); turteltaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

The turtle dove breeds in most of Europe, with the main exceptions being Ireland and Scotland, Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Russia. They are also found breeding around the Mediterranean basin, throughout Turkey and the Caucasus and into the Middle East. They winter in Africa south of the Sahara, mostly in Senegal and Mali and other countries of the Sahel.

Size:

They are 25-27 cm long and have a wingspan of 49-55 cm. Both males and females weigh around 140 g.

Habitat:

They breed in open lowland deciduous woods and copses with rich undergrowth, mainly in agricultural areas but also in more open country with dense scrubs and isolated trees. They winter in dry scrubland and savanna.

Diet:

Turtle doves mostly eat the seeds of cereals and weeds. They also eat fruits and berries and may occasionally take insects and their larvae.

Breeding:

They breed in April-September. These birds mate for live, each year both male and female collaborate to build the nest, a simple platform made of twigs and roots, lined with softer materials such as grass and leaves. The nest is placed on tree or scrub, at an height of 2-3 m. The clutch consists of 1-2 white eggs which both parents incubate for 13-16 days. The chicks fledge after 20 days and become independent soon afterwards.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

With a global population of 20-100 million and an extremely large breeding range, the species is not considered threatened at present. Still, the turtle dove may have declined by as much as 67% in parts of its range, and the species is affected by habitat loss and unsustainable levels of hunting in southern Europe and northern Africa.

Zebra dove

Geopelia striata

Photo by J.J. Harrison (Wikipedia)

Common name:

zebra dove (en); rola-zebrada (pt); géopélie zébrée (fr); tortolita estriada (es); sperbertaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is native to south-east Asia, from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Lombok. It may also be native to the Philippines. Since this species is a popular cage bird, they have been accidentally introduced in several other areas, especially islands, including Laos, Boeneo, Sulawesi, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Caledonia, the Seychelles, the Chagos archipelago, Mauritius, Réunion and Saint Helena.

Size:

This small dove is 20-23 cm long and has a wingspan of 24-26 cm. They weigh 50-62 g.

Habitat:

They are mostly found in scrubland, farmland and other open habitats in lowland areas. They are also common in parks and gardens.

Diet:

Zebra doves feed on grass seeds where the ground is bare in open spaces among thorn scrub, roadsides, paths, and in gardens. They also eat insects and other small invertebrates.

Breeding:

Within their native range they breed in September-June. The nest is a fragile platform of twigs, leaves and grass blades, usually located in a tree or scrub close to the ground up to an height of 4 m. They may also nest on the ground. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 13-18 days. The young leave the nest within two weeks and can fly well after three weeks.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

The population has not been quantified. Although the species is the target of trapping for commercial purposes, they are still common throughout most of their native range. They also adapt well to the human made habitats so habitat change is not a threat to this species.

Pink-necked green-pigeon

Treron vernans
 

Photo by David Behrens (PBase)

Common name:
pink-necked green-pigeon (en); pombo-verde-de-pescoço-rosa (pt); colombar giouanne (fr); vinago cuellirosa (es); frühlingstaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
A native of southeast Asia, this species can be found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Size:
This average sized pigeon is 22-24 cm long and has a wingspan of 30-32 cm. They weigh 138-142 g.

Habitat:
Occurs in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, in subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and in subtropical or tropical moist mountain forests.

Diet:
Largely frugivorous. They eat soft fruits, mostly figs and berries of all kinds. On wastelands, they regularly feed on the sticky fruit of the straits rhododendron Melastoma malabathricum, and the Singapore cherry Muntingia calabura. They have also been seen eating flower petals and seeds.

Breeding:
Breeds from late March to late July. The nest is built by both male and female using twigs. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 17 days. The chicks are raised by both parents who may continue to feed the young even after fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)
It is a common and widespread species within its range. Deforestation and hunting may have a negative effect on this species, but these threats don't seem significant at present.