Red-eyed Dove
Streptopelia semitorquata
The largest and stockiest “ringneck” dove; it has a pale-fronted, pinkish head and a dark red eye surrounded by red skin. In flight, the dirty-brown tail tips distinguish it from other ringneck-doves. It is an abundant resident throughout urban, rural, and wild Africa. The Red-eyed Dove gives an insistent and characteristic six-note song: “I am a Red-eyed Dove”.
Identification
The red-eyed dove is a largish, stocky pigeon, typically 30 cm (12 in) in length. Its back, wings and tail are pale brown. When flying, it shows blackish flight feathers. The head and underparts are dark vinous-pink, shading to pale grey on the face. There is a black hind neck patch edged with white. The legs and a patch of bare skin around the eye are red. The call is a loud doo-doo-du-du.<p>Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults and have scalloping on the body feathers.<p>Red-eyed doves eat grass seeds, grains and other vegetation. They often forage on the ground.
Taxonomy
The red-eyed dove was formally described by the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell in 1835 from birds seen in the Taranta Mountains of Eritrea. He coined the binomial name Columba semitorquata. The specific epithet is combines the Latin semi- meaning "half-" or "small" and torquatus meaning "collared". The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Streptopelia semitorquata
- Authority
- (Rüppell, 1837)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Streptopelia
Range and habitat
It is distributed through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except in desert zones. It is a common, if not abundant, species in most habitats other than deserts. Like several other species in this genus, they are not particularly gregarious and often feed alone or in pairs. They can be found in forests near rivers.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: rising.
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
European Red-rumped Swallow
Cecropis rufula
Brightly-colored swallow with a deeply forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, an incomplete orange collar, and faint streaking below. Juveniles average paler and lack extensive orangish tones; may resemble house-martins but note deeply forked tail. Typically glides on stiff, flat wings, flying quite languidly with shallow wingbeats. Builds mud nests in mountains, on sea cliffs, and on buildings and other structures. Forages over open areas. Frequently gives a short, sparrow-like “twi’wit.” Very similar to African Red-rumped Swallow, but shows much heavier streaking below.
Stiles's Tapaculo
Scytalopus stilesi
A standard Scytalopus tapaculo: plain dark gray with browner flanks and rump. Acts like a mouse, scurrying around on or near the ground within montane forest. Extremely limited range in the central Andes of Colombia. Far more often heard than seen. Listen for froglike churring song, given as a long series of short bursts.
Steller's Jay
Cyanocitta stelleri
Black-and-blue with a crest. Widespread in western North America, from Alaska to Nicaragua. Shows marked variation across range: coastal populations are the darkest, with no pale markings around the eye. Central American birds have shorter crest, limited black on the face, and very bold white markings around the eye. Occurs in coniferous forests, usually in small groups. Regularly visits feeders, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Loud and conspicuous; listen for harsh calls.
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