Negros bleeding-heart

Gallicolumba keayi

Photo by Rob Hutchinson (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
Negros bleeding-heart (en); coração-sangrante-de-Negros (pt); gallicolombe de Negros (fr); corazón sangrante de Negros (es); Negros-dolchstichtaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the Philippines, where it is found on the islands of Negros and Panay.

Size:
These birds are 25-30 cm long and weigh 175-206 g.

Habitat:
The Negros bleeding-heart is mostly found in dense, closed-canopy rainforests, but also tolerates some secondary forest habitats, including selectively logged forests on limestone, and open and severely degraded forests with a few large trees. They are present at altitudes of 300-1.200 m.

Diet:
There is no information available on the diet of this species, but they mostly forage on the ground and are likely to have an omnivorous diet like similar pigeons.

Breeding:
Negros bleeding-hearts breed in May-August. The female lays 2 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 14-16 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 12-14 days after hatching, but continue to receive food from the father for another 2 weeks.

Conservation:
IUCN status - CR (Critically Endangered)
This species has a relatively small and fragmented breeding range and the global population is estimated at just 70-400 individuals. The Negros bleeding-heart was fairly common in the 19th century, but become increasingly rare by the 1930s, a decline that is possibly still going on mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation through clearance for agriculture, timber and charcoal-burning. Primary forests have almost been totally destroyed in both Negros and Panay, where less than 10% of the surface are covered by forests of any kind. Trapping and hunting for food and for the cage bird trade may also be a problem for this species. Some conservation actions are underway, including the protection of some of the remaining primary forests patches in Negros can captive breeding for future reintroduction.

Victoria crowned pigeon

Goura victoria

Photo by Nancy Johnston (Nancy's Bird Journal)

Common name:
Victoria crowned pigeon (en); pombo-coroado-de-Victoria (pt); goura de Victoria (fr); gura victoria (es); fächertaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in northern New Guinea, from Geelvink Bay, Indonesia, to Astrolabe Bay, and an isolated area around Collingwood Bay in easternmost Papua New Guinea. Also on the Yapen islands and in Biak-Supiori where it may have been introduced.

Size:
These large pigeons are 73-80 cm long and weigh 2,3-3,5 kg.

Habitat:
The Victoria crowned pigeon is found in lowland rainforests and swamp forests, up to an altitude of 600 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground, taking fallen fruits, berries and seeds. Ocasionally, they will also eat insects and snails.

Breeding:
Victoria crowned pigeons are monogamous and tend to mate for life. They can breed all year round and the nest is a platform made of stems, sticks and palm leaves, placed on a tree. The female lays a single white egg, which she incubates alone for 30 days. The chick is fed by both parents and fledges about 4 weeks after hatching, but continue to receive food from parents for another 8-9 weeks.

Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a relatively large breeding range, but the global population is estimated at just 1.500-7.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be declining rapidly as a result of habitat loss and degradation through selective logging and the development of oil palm plantations, as well as on-going hunting pressure and capture for the cage bird trade.

Peaceful dove

Geopelia placida

Photo by Guy Poisson (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
peaceful dove (en); rola-plácida (pt); géopélie placide (fr); tortolita plácida (es); friedenstäubchen (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found throughout most of Australia, except in southern Victoria, southern Western Australia and Tasmania, and also in Papua New Guinea and the nearby Aru islands.

Size:
These birds are 19-22 cm long and weigh 50-60 g.

Habitat:
The peaceful dove is found in dry woodlands and savannas, scrublands with scattered trees, agricultural areas and within urban areas.

Diet:
They mainly feed on the ground, taking small seeds and sometimes small invertebrates. They also approach humans in search of scraps.

Breeding:
Peaceful doves can breed all year round, varying between different areas. The nest is a loose platform of twigs, grasses and rootlets, placed in a tree about 12 m above the ground. The female lays 2 whitish eggs which are incubated for 13-14 days. The chicks are fed crop milk by both parents and fledge 16-17 days after hatching, but only become independent 2 weeks later. Each pair can raise up to 8 broods per year.

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 peaceful dove is reported to be adaptable and widespread. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Yellow-footed green-pigeon

Treron phoenicoptera

Photo by Nabarun Sadhya (Flickr)

Common name:
yellow-footed green-pigeon (en); pombo-verde-de-patas-amarelas (pt); colombar commandeur (fr); vinago patigualdo (es); rotschultertaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
These birds occurs from eastern Pakistan, throughout India and Bangladesh, and into Nepal and Bhutan, southern China, Thailand and Vietnam.

Size:
They are 33-35 cm long.

Habitat:
This species is found in moist tropical forests, but also in degraded former forests, dry scrublands, rural gardens and within urban areas.

Diet:
Yellow-legged green-pigeons feed on a wide variety of fruits, including several Ficus, but also seeds, buds and shoots. They are known to eat maize, taking the grain directly from the stalks.

Breeding:
These birds breed in March-July. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a thin platform of small twigs criss-crossed over each other. It is placed on an horizontal branch, usually not very far from the ground in a small tree or sapling but sometimes up to 15 m above the ground. The female lays 1-2 shiny white eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for 20-24 days. The chicks fledge 10-13 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common and widespread.
The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat.

Dark-tailed laurel pigeon

Columba bollii

Photo by David Lanza (Ornito Addiction)

Common name:
dark-tailed laurel pigeon (en); pombo-trocaz-de-Bolle (pt); pigeon de Bolle (fr); paloma turqué (es); Bolles lorbeertaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the Canary Islands, being found on the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Size:
These birds are 35-40 cm long and have a wingspan of 65-68 cm. They weigh 350-390 g.

Habitat:
The dark-tailed laurel pigeon is mostly found in dense laurel forests, especially in muntainous areas and ravines dominated by Azores laurel Laurus azorica, tilo Ocotea foetens, fire tree Myrica faya, tree heath Erica arborea and small-leaved holly Ilex canariensis. They can also be found in cultivated areas and in caves.

Diet:
These birds are mainly frugivorous, feeding on the berries of Azores laurel and tilo, but also on cultivated grain and occasionally buds, leaves and shoots of other plants, such as cabbages.

Breeding:
The dark-tailed laurel pigeon is thought to breed all year round, but especially in October-July. The nest is made of twigs and well camouflaged in the foliage, usually placed in a tree or heath up to 15 m above the ground. The female lays a single white egg, which is incubated by both parents for 18-19 days. The chick fledges 30-35 days after hatching. Each pair can raise 2-3 clutches per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a small breeding range, but the global population is currently estimated at 3.300-13.000 individuals and suspected to be recovering following historical declines caused by intensive exploitation of laurel forests. Although the extent of forest loss has slowed, fragmentation has continued in some areas as forests are exploited for poles and tool handles. A small amount of illegal hunting still takes place at drinking sites and introduced mammals, namely rats may prey on their nests. Forest fires, human disturbance and outbreaks of Newcastle disease and tuberculosis may also pose threats in the future, but the species is not considered threatened at present

Inca dove

Columbina inca

(Photo from Free Pet Wallpapers)

Common name:
Inca dove (en); rolinha-inca (pt); colombe inca (fr); tortolita mexicana (es); Incatäubchen (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found from the southern United States, in south-eastern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, across Mexico and south to Costa Rica.

Size:
These birds are 18-23 cm long and weigh 30-60 g.

Habitat:
The Inca dove is mostly found in urban and rural areas and other human-modified habitats, but also in arid and semi-arid scrublands and woodlands and in moist tropical scrublands, from sea level up to an altitude of 3.000 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground, mainly eating seeds of grasses and weeds, agricultural grains and nuts, but also some fruits, especially from cacti.

Breeding:
Inca doves can breed all year round, nesting in a frail structure made of small twigs by the female. the hest is usually placed low in a tree or scrub. The female lays 2 white eggs, which are incubated by both parents fro 13-15 days. The chicks are fed crop milk by both parents and fledge 12-16 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and this range is in fact expanding due to coexistance with humans. The population is estimated to be increasing at a rapid rate of over 30% per decade, but this information is based on surveys performed in less than half of the species global range.

Superb fruit-dove

Ptilinopus superbus

Photo by Neil Turner (Wikipedia)

Common name:
superb fruit-dove (en); pombo-da-fruta-pintado (pt); ptilope superbe (fr); tilopo soberbio (es); prachtfruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in eastern Indonesia, in Papua-New Guinea and along the north-eastern coast of Australia from northern Queensland to northern New South Wales.

Size:
These birds are 21-24 cm long and weigh 80-145 g.

Habitat:
The superb fruit-dove is found in rainforests, along rainforests edges and in mangroves, often along rivers and streams. They are also found in plantations and even within urban areas. This species is found from sea level up to an altitude of 1.600 m.

Diet:
They feed almost exclusively on fruits and berries, namely figs Ficus albipila and Ficus benjamina, Canarium australianum drupes, and Archontophoenix, Calamus and Livistona palm fruit, also the fruits Litsea, Neolitsea Cryptocarya, Cananga odorata, Syzygium and Vitex cofassus. Sometimes they also take seeds and small insects.

Breeding:
Superb fruit-doves breed in September-January. The nest flimsy platform of twigs, placed in a tree or vine 5-30 m above the ground. There the female lays 1 white eggs which is incubated by both sexes for 14 days. The chicks are raised by both parents and fledge as early as 7 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common throughout most of this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Tambourine dove

Turtur tympanistria

(Photo from Tokin Birds)

Common name:
tambourine dove (en); rola-de-papo-branco (pt); tourtelette tambourette (fr); palomita tamborilera (es); tamburintäubchen (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species is found in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zambia and Tanzania, and through Mozambique down to eastern and southern South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 22-23 cm long and weigh 50-85 g.

Habitat:
The tambourine dove is found in moist tropical forests, especially in riverine woodlands, but also in coastal forests, scrublands, rural gardens and plantations. This species is found from sea level up to an altitude of 3.200 m.

Diet:
They eat a variety of fruits, seeds and invertebrates, namely grass seeds, the seeds of trees such as Albizia, Celtis, Croton and Ricinus, the fruits of Solanum, Syzygium and Trema, termites and small molucs.

Breeding:
Tambourine doves breed in September-May. Both sexes build the nest, a fragile saucer made of twigs, leaves and petioles. It is typically placed among the tangled branches of a creeper, in a scrub or tree, often in vegetation next to rivers. The female lays 1-2 eggs, which she mostly incubates alone for 17-20 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 19-22 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be widespread. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Eurasian collared dove

Streptopelia decaocto

Photo by Jirí Bohdal (Naturephoto CZ)

Common name:
Eurasian collared dove (en); rola-turca (pt); tourterelle turque (fr); tórtola turca (es); Türkentaube (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae

Range:
This species was originally found in temperate and sub-tropical Asia, from Turkey to southern China and south to India and Sri Lanka. Since the late 19th century it started to expand westwards and is now found throughout most of Europe, as far west as Portugal and Ireland and as far north as Norway and central Russia. At present, it is also found in northern Africa, from Egypt to Morocco.

Size:
These birds are 30-33 cm long and have a wingspan of 47-55 cm. They weigh 150-200 g.

Habitat:
The Eurasian collared dove is found in temperate and boreal forests, dry scrublands, degraded tropical forests and also in rural areas, arable land and within urban areas. They are typically found from sea level up to an altitude of 1.300 m.

Diet:
They mainly feed on seeds, but also green vegetable parts such as buds and shoots, fruits and sometimes garbage and invertebrates.

Breeding:
Eurasian collared doves breed in March-October. The nest is a loose platform made of sticks and twigs, sometimes lined with grasses. It is placed in a scrub or tree, 2-20 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 whitish eggs which are incubated by both parents for 14-18 days. The chicks are fed crop milk and regurgitated seeds by both parents and fledge 15-19 days after hatching, but still receive food from the parents for another weeks. Each pair may raise 3-6 broods per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 20-100 million individuals. The population is currently suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation.

New Zealand pigeon

Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Photo by Pete McGregor (The Ruins of the Moment)

Common name:
New Zealand pigeon (en); pombo-maori (pt); carpophage de Nouvelle-Zélande (fr); paloma maorí (es); Maorifruchttaube (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is endemic to New Zealand, being found in both the North island and the South island, as well as in the Chatham islands.


Size:
These large pigeons are 46-55 cm long and weigh 550-850 g.


Habitat:
The New Zealand pigeon is mostly found in native podocarp forests, but outside the breeding season will also use exotic plantations and gardens.


Diet:
They are mainly frugivorous, eating large native fruits and drupes such as karaka, tawa and taraire, but also leaves, shoots, flowers and buds of native and exotic species in winter and spring, when fruits are not available.


Breeding:
The breeding season of the New Zealand pigeon varies according to the availability of ripe fruits, but is mostly concentrated in October-April. They are monogamous, with pair bonds lasting for more than one season, and nest in a frail platform of twigs placed in a tree. There the female lays a single white egg which is incubated by bth parents for 28-30 days. The chick is fed crop milk by both parents and fledges 30-45 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as not uncommon, but the population is suspected to be declining at a moderately rapid rate, owing to hunting, habitat degradation and introduced predators. The introduction of exotic species is the main threat for this species, namely predators such as brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula, black rat Rattus rattus, stoat Mustela erminea and cats. The first two also compete for fruits. The New Zealand pigeon is illegally hunted and the loss of forest habitat through burning and clearance for farmland, removal of firewood and browsing by herbivores is also a threat.

Ruddy ground-dove

Columbina talpacoti

Photo by Iain Petrie (The Four Ages of Sand)

Common name:
ruddy ground-dove (en); rolinha-roxa (pt); colombe rousse (fr); tortolita colorada (es); rosttäubchen (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is found from Mexico south to Paraguay, southern Brazil and northern Argentina.


Size:
These birds are 14-18 cm long and weigh 35-60 g.


Habitat:
The ruddy ground-dove is found in moist, open woodlands, scrublands, savannas, marshes, forest edges, agricultural fields, pastures and even within urban areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.200 m.


Diet:
They mainly forage on the ground, eating seeds, spilled grain and sometimes also insects, snails and berries.


Breeding:
Ruddy ground-doves can breed all year round. The nest is a loose platform made of grasses and stems, often lined with rootlets and fine grasses. It is usually placed in a dense scrub or tree, around 7 m above the ground. The female lays 2 white eggs which are incubated by both sexes for 11-13 days. The chicks are fed by both parents, first on crop milk and later also other foods, fledging 10-15 days after hatching. Each pair raises several clutches per year, often starting a new clutch a few days after the previous chicks fledged.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat.

Spotted dove

Streptopelia chinensis

Photo by J.M. Garg (Wikipedia)

Common name:
spotted dove (en); rola-malhada (pt); tourterelle tigrine (fr); tórtola moteada (es); perlhalstaube (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is found throughout southern Asia, from India and northern Pakistan to north-eastern China and south to Indonesia and the Philippines. It has also been introduced in eastern and southern Australia, New Zealand and several other Pacific islands and to southern California.


Size:
These birds are 28-33 cm long and have a wingspan of 43-47 cm. They weigh around 150 g.


Habitat:
These birds are found in parks and gardens, riverine woodlands and other forests, from sea level up to an altitude of 2.400 m.


Diet:
They feed on a wide variety of seeds, which they collect from the ground.


Breeding:
Spotted doves can breed all year round. they nest on a loose platform of twigs, usually placed on a large scrub or tree, on an horizontal branch or fork of branch. The female lays 2 glossy white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for around 2 weeks. The chicks are fed crop milk and seeds by both parents and fledge 14-16 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as very common throughout almost all of its range. The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat.

Spinifex pigeon

Geophaps plumifera

(Photo from Wikipedia)

Common name:
spinifex pigeon (en); pombo-plumífero (pt); colombine plumifère (fr); paloma plumífera (es); rotschpftaube (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is endemic to Australia. There are two separate subspecies, G. p. plumifera is found in arid areas of northern, north-western and north-eastern Australia, while G. p. ferruginea is found in Pilbara, Western Australia.


Size:
These birds are 20-24 cm long and weigh 90-110 g.


Habitat:
Spinifex pigeons are mostly fround in dry spinifex grasslands and in arid stony hills and rocky outcrops, but sometimes also in dry woodlands.


Diet:
They mostly eat the seeds of grasses and herbs, especially Triodia, but will also take some insects and green plants.


Breeding:
The spinifex pigeon breeds in August-January. They nest on a scrape in the ground, sometimes lined with vegetation and usually sheltered by a small scrub, rock or spinifex tussock. The female lays 2 creamy-white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 16-18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 9-11 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and it is described as usually common in suitable habitat. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

African lemon dove

Aplopelia larvata

Photo by Dirk Daniels (Wikipedia)

Common name:
African lemon dove (en); rola-canela (pt); pigeon à masque blanc (fr); paloma de cara pálida (es); zimttaube (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is patchily distributed across eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia down to South Africa.


Size:
This fairly small dove is 24-30 cm long and weighs 80-150 g.


Habitat:
They are mostly found in tropical moist forests, but also in degraded former forests, rural gardens and plantations. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 3.200 m.


Diet:
African lemon doves do most of their foraging on the ground. They eat various seeds, fruits and tubers, and also small insects and molluscs.


Breeding:
These birds can breed all year round. The nest is a flat platform of twigs and rootlets, typically placed 2,5 m above ground, usually in the mid-canopy of a tree or creeper. The female lays 1-3 eggs which are incubated by both sexes for 14-18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 20 days after hatching, but only become fully independent 2 months later.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
The African lemon dove has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is reported to be secretive and therefore perhaps under-recorded. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Laughing dove

Streptopelia senegalensis

Photo by Rajiv Lather (Birding in India and South Asia)

Common name:
laughing dove (en); rola-do-Senegal (pt); tourterelle maillée (fr); tórtola senegalesa (es); palmtaube (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the most dense rainforests of Gabon, southern Cameroon and D.R. Congo. It is also found in southern Asia, from the Middle East to India. There are some localized introduced populations in western Australia, around Perth and Fremantle and in Germany.


Size:
These birds are 25-28 cm long and weigh 100-120 g.


Habitat:
Laughing doves are found in various woodland habitats and also in scrubland, farmland, plantations and in gardens and parks within urban areas.


Diet:
They are mostly granivorous, eating the seeds of various grasses, scrubs and trees. They also eat fruits, bulbs, nectar and some invertebrates including termites, ants, larval flies and snails.


Breeding:
Laughing doves can breed all year round. The nest is a frail bowl of twigs and leaves, lined with fine material such as rootlets, and placed in a fork in a tree or sometimes in human structures. The female lays 2 white eggs which are incubated by both sexes for 12-14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents, in the first few days eating only crop milk, and later receiving seeds. They fledge 12-13 days after hatching. Each pair raises a single brood per year.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and is known to be common to very common in some parts of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Common wood-pigeon

Columba palumbus

Photo by Eduardo Balogh (Trek Nature)

Common name:
common wood-pigeon (en); pombo-torcaz (pt); pigeon ramier (fr); paloma torcaz (es); ringeltaube (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Columbiformes
Family Columbidae


Range:
This species is found throughout Europe, into Morocco, northern Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa and east to the Urals in Russia, into the Middle East all the way to Afghanistan and with scattered population as far east as northern India and western China. The northern populations migrate south to winter along the southern range of the species.


Size:
These birds are 38-43 cm long and have a wingspan of 68-80 cm. They weigh 450-600 g.


Habitat:
Common wood-pigeons are mostly found in deciduous and coniferous woodlands, but also in farmland, hedgerows, parks, and gardens, and even in city centres.


Diet:
They mostly eat seeds, grains and crops, often becoming a serious agricultural pest. These birds will also eat fleshy leaves, young shoot and seedlings of various plants. They occasionally also take invertebrates.


Breeding:
Common wood-pigeons breed in April-July. The male brings twigs, grasses and leaves to the female, who uses them to build an untidy platform-like nest, generally placed in a fork in a tree. The female lays 1-3 glossy white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 17-19 days. The chicks are fed pigeon milk, a regurgitated milky substance produced in the crop of the parents, and fledge 29-35 days after hatching. Each pair may raise 2-3 broods per season.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 30-70 million individuals. The population is increasing in many parts of its range as it can exploit human-modified habitats and northward range expansions have also been recorded in northern Scandinavia and the Faeroe islands.

Christmas imperial-pigeon

Ducula whartoni

Photo by Jeff Blincow (Christmas Island Wildlife)

Common name:

Christmas imperial-pigeon (en); pombo-imperial-de-Natal (pt); carpophage de Wharton (fr); dúcula de la Navidad (es); weihnachtsfruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is endemic to Christmas island, in the Indian Ocean.

Size:

These birds are 39-45 cm long and weigh 450-700 g.

Habitat:

The Christmas imperial-pigeon is mostly found in rainforests and, to some extent, in secondary regrowth dominated by the introduced Japanese cherry Muntingia calabura.

Diet:

They feed on on native and exotic fruits, as well as buds and leaves.

Breeding:

Christmas imperial-pigeons breed in August-February. They nest in a loose platform made of twigs, placed near the top of a tall rainforest tree. The female lays 1 egg which is incubated by both parents for 25-30 days. The chicks fledge 3-4 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)

This species has a very large breeding range and a global population of 10.000-20.000 individuals. Although there is no reliable data on population trend, the species adapts well to secondary habitats and is thus now suspected to have a relatively stable population. The Christmas imperial-pigeon is mostly threatened by forest clearing for phosphate mining. Hunting was also a problem in the past, but is now believed to be less prevalent. The introduction of the yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes to Christmas island could also have a negative impact as these ants can prey on young birds, and have further negative consequences for the overall ecological balance of the island.

Green imperial-pigeon

Ducula aenea

Photo by Sydhir Shivaram (The Jungle Book)

Common name:

green imperial-pigeon (en); pombo-imperial verde(pt); carpophage pauline (fr); dúcula verde (es); bronzefruchttaube (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is found in southern Asia, from India, through Bangladesh and Indochina, and into Indonesia and the Philippines.

Size:

The green imperial-pigeon is 38-45 cm long and weighs 450-550 g.

Habitat:

They are found in both primary and secondary forests, mangroves and also open country with scattered trees. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.

Diet:

They feed on fruits and other plant material collected in the tree canopy.

Breeding:

The breeding season of the green imperial-pigeon varies according to the location, but generally takes place during the summer, at the beginning of the rainy season. The nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a flimsy platform made with interwoven twigs, placed in small tree up to 10 mm above the ground. there the female lays 1-2 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 18 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 20 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Namaqua dove

Oena capensis

(Photo from Aprafoga)

Common name:

Namaqua dove (en); rola-rabilonga (pt); tourtelette masquée (fr); tórtola de Namaqua (es); kaptäubchen (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar, only being absent from the lowland forests of West Africa and the D.R. Congo. They are also found in the Middle East, in Israel, Jordan, Iraq and across the Arabian Peninsula.

Size:

This tiny dove is 22-25 cm long and has a wingspan of 28-33 cm. They weigh 40 g.

Habitat:

Namaqua doves are found in dry, open areas, namely Acacia savannas, arid scrublands, agricultural areas, farmyards, rural gardens and occasionally alien tree stands.

Diet:

These birds are granivorous, eating small seeds on various grasses, sedges and weeds, namely Amaranthus, Aridaria and Chenopodium.

Breeding:

Namaqua doves can breed all year round, with a peak in July-December. Both sexes build the nest, a fragile saucer made of rootlets, twigs and petioles, with the inside lined with grass and rootlets. The nest is placed in an Acacia sapling, scrub, dead branch or occasionally a grass tuft, generally about 1 m above the ground. The female lays 1-2 cream-coloured eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for 13-16 days. The chicks fledge 16 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and is described as common to abundant. The population is suspected to be increasing in abundance and expanding its range in, for example, Israel and Arabia, since the mid-1970s. This species is often the target of illegal capture or the pet trade, but overall the species is not considered threatened.

Blue ground-dove

Claravis pretiosa

Photo by Arthur Grosset (Arthur Grosset's Birds)

Common name:

blue ground-dove (en); juriti-azul (pt); colombe bleutée (fr); tortolita azulada (es); blautäubchen (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Columbiformes

Family Columbidae

Range:

This species is found in the Americas, from Mexico south to northwestern Peru and, east of the Andes, south to northern Argentina.

Size:

The blue ground-dove 18-21 cm long and weighs 65-72 g.

Habitat:

These birds are mostly found on the edges of humid and semi-deciduous forests, but also in forest clearings, second growth and river edge forests. They are found from sea level up to an altitude of 2.100 m.

Diet:

The blue ground-dove mostly eats seeds and fruits, doing most of their foraging on the ground. they may also eat some insects.

Breeding:

These birds are monogamous and pair for life, breeding all year round. Both sexes help building the nest, a frail saucer made of twings, placed in a thicket or tree 1-10 m above the ground. There the female lays 2 white eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for 14-15 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 9-15 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has an extremely large breeding range and a global population estimated at 0,5-5 million individuals. Although this species may be locally affected by ongoing habitat destruction, the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.