Scaled Dove
Columbina squammata
Distinctive pale gray dove with black feather edges giving a scaly appearance. In flight has striking rufous flight feathers and a tricolored (black, gray, and white) tail. The song is an easily remembered continuous repetition of “pow-co-pow". Very common; found in open areas, forest edges, grasslands, and urban areas.
Identification
It measures between 18 and 22 centimeters in length and weighs between 48 and 60 grams. The species has grayish-brown upper parts and a pinkish-gray face and chest. The throat is white and the distal wing coverts are also white and form a visible white spot on the wings when they are closed. The tail is dark with the tips of the rectrices being white, forming a white band on the side of the tail, noticeable when the bird is in flight. The species has dark eyes, pink legs and gray beak. It has a “scaly” appearance caused by the dark edges of the feathers. The most striking feature of this species is the scaling pattern of the plumage, which provides it with efficient camouflage. When in flight you can see a white stripe at the base of the wing. Its primaries are brown in color.
Taxonomy
The etymology of the scientific names comes from Latin, with the genus Columbina meaning "dove-like" from the Latin columba (meaning "dove") and with the specific epithet squammata meaning "scaled" from the Latin squamatus (also meaning "scaled), in reference to the bird's plumage.<p>In Brazilian Portuguese, this species has a variety of popular names, including: rolinha-carijó, Fogo-pagô (onomatopoeic), rol-pedrês, rolinha-cascavel, felix-cafofo (Paraíba), paruru and galinha-de-deus. In the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Pernambuco, this species is sometimes referred to as rolinha-cascavel, meaning "rattlesnake" due to the plumage pattern resembling the snake's scales and the sound that the bird makes when flying, which resembles the sound of the rattle of the local species of rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus).<p>There are two recognized subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Columbina squammata
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1831)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columbina
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Columbina squammata is a dove of generally discreet habits, that walks in pairs or small groups by the edges of forests, savannahs, orchards, and other types of vegetation, while tending to avoid very open or very closed habitats. It is normally silent, except when vocalizing, which the bird only does while perched in well-hidden places, and except for the noise produced by the wings when the bird takes flight. In southeastern Brazil, it is considered as a skittish species, being much more heard than seen in cities like Campinas or Ribeirão Preto, but in other parts of Brazil, such as Brasília or Goiânia this species can be found much closer to people, scratching on sidewalks in the same way as its congener, the ruddy ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti).<p>Ornithologists and bird watchers in the state of São Paulo have been reporting a decline in the populations of this species, potentially attributing this decline to competition with the eared dove (Zenaida auriculata), which has been increasing in both range and abundance.<p>It makes a nest of twigs in the shape of a cup, usually 1 or 2 meters above the ground, but may sometimes also nest on the ground. This species usually lays 2 white eggs.<p>It feeds on the ground, walking with its belly almost dragging on the ground. When scared, it flies sharply to nearby trees. The tree species Trema micrantha is one of the favorite fruits of this species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Small distinctive duck. Males have a pinkish breast that is spotted in black with a rich chestnut wing and a metallic green patch on the flight feathers. Note the blue bill. Females have a striking brown-and-white face pattern, and are mostly brown above and mottled or banded brown below. In flight shows dark wings with white-and-green bands. Occurs in marshes and swamps with abundant vegetation; can be even seen perched on fences or low trees.
White-browed Laughingthrush
Pterorhinus sannio
A ground-hugging, long-tailed songbird of city parks, forests, and scrubby agricultural land. Brownish above, ochre below, with striking facial pattern: black throat and rear eyeline contrast with earth-brown crown and white cheek and supercilium. Forages in small to medium-sized flocks on the ground and in dense shrubbery. Vocal; loud cackling contact calls used to communicate among flockmates.
White-naped Honeyeater
Melithreptus lunatus
Small honeyeater with black cap. Underparts white, upperparts light olive. Has white throat with a white band behind the eye. Very similar in appearance to White-throated and Black-chinned Honeyeaters but can easily be distinguished by presence of red skin around the eye. Juveniles have more brown coloration and a yellow bill. Common resident of eucalypt forests.
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