Rameron Pigeon
Columba arquatrix
Big, dark pigeon with a gray head, and bright yellow feet, bill, and eye ring. Plain in flight. Found in forest, plantations, and woodland. In most of its range, it is a montane species that is restricted to high and middle elevations. Often in small flocks, especially near fruiting trees. Common vocalization is a raspy “brrruuur” call, usually followed by several series of quick hoots. Separated from all other pigeons in its range by its bright yellow bare parts.
Identification
The adult male African olive pigeon is a large pigeon at 37 to 42 cm (15 to 17 in) in length and a weight of 300 to 450 g (11 to 16 oz). Its back and wings are maroon, with the shoulders heavily speckled with white spots. The underparts are maroon with heavy white spotting, and the head is grey with yellow patches around the eye, and a yellow bill. The neck plumage, used in display, is streaked maroon and white, the underwing and undertail are dark grey, and the feet are yellow.<p>Females are very similar but somewhat duller. Juvenile birds have the maroon and grey replaced with dark brown, the bare parts are a dull greenish-yellow, and the wing feathers have pale fringes. In flight, this pigeon looks very dark. Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. The call is a loud coo coo.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Columba arquatrix
- Authority
- Temminck, 1808
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columba
Range and habitat
This is a species of cool, moist forest canopies above 1,400 m (4,600 ft) altitude, although it occurs locally as low as 700 m (2,300 ft). It will use mountain fynbos, second growth, and clearings, and feed on agricultural land when not persecuted.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The African olive pigeon builds a large stick nest up to 15 m (49 ft) high in a tree and lays one (rarely two) white eggs. The eggs are incubated for 17–20 days to hatching, and the chicks fledge in another 20 days.<p>The male has a display consisting of deep bows, and a display flight which consists of a climb, wing clapping, and slow glide down.<p>The African olive pigeon feeds on fruit and berries, mainly picked in the canopy, but it will also descend for fallen fruit and prey on insects and caterpillars. In the south of its range, it favours the fruit of a highly invasive plant, the bugweed, Solanum mauritianum. Birds fly considerable distances from their roosts to feeding areas, and young or nonbreeding birds form flocks.<p>Geophagy, which is the act of Earth eating, has been observed in this species. The African olive pigeon has been found to eat clay soil of basic pH and high sodium content. Based on current studies, this is for the purpose of supplementing their diet with minerals and as a pH buffer due to their acidic diet.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-winged Pytilia
Pytilia phoenicoptera
An unusual and pretty member of the waxbill family. Shows fine pale barring below, mostly deep red wings, and a red rump and tail. Females are paler gray. Found in moist broadleaf woodland, savanna, and thickets. Generally uncommon and inconspicuous, singly or in pairs. Sometimes joins flocks with other birds. Similar to Green-winged and Red-faced Pytilias, but separated by the red wing. The calls are short trills and a rising “spink” note. The song is a mix of higher whistles and lower growling notes.
Pink-bellied Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula poliocephala
A large pigeon of foothill and lower montane forest canopy with a white head, a dark bluish-gray chest and upper back, green wings, a whitish belly with a pink tinge, and rufous under the base of the tail. Note the large red eye-ring. Somewhat similar to Mindoro Imperial-Pigeon, but Pink-bellied has a dark neck and chest. Song is a deep, booming, upslurred “doo-dup! doo-dup!”which can be heard from a distance.
Chestnut-tailed Minla
Actinodura strigula
This brightly-colored social bird is a frequent attendant of mixed-species flocks. Relatively large size and combination of flashy colors and patterns scattered across its brownish body make this species unmistakable. Found in mid- to high-elevation wooded areas; prefers broadleaf and mixed evergreen forests. Gives a song of 3-4 sweet-sounding slurred whistles and a loud, squeaky call that sounds like a dog toy being stepped on.
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