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
Shiny Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus melanurus
Chunky dark blue bird with a small bill and a short tail. Note iridescent spangling on the neck and brow of the male; female is plainer, with less iridescence. Endemic to Sumatra, where it can be found along streams in damp and mossy mountain and foothill forests. Forages actively on the ground and up in streamside trees. Calls include a piercing descending whistle and strange grating notes.
Moustached Turca
Pteroptochos megapodius
Fairly common; seen more readily than other large tapaculos. Like huet-huets, loud calls often draw attention. Found in matorral and other native scrub on hillsides and rocky slopes. Often perches on rocks or runs along roadsides, tail cocked strongly. Besides its large, “fat” size and shape, note big white “mustaches,” solidly brownish breast, and boldly barred belly. Compare with smaller and longer-tailed White-throated Tapaculo, which is often in the same areas.
Sooty Grouse
Dendragapus fuliginosus
Large, dark chickenlike bird found in wooded habitats, usually with conifers and shrubby undergrowth. Typically seen on the ground; easiest to detect in midsummer when females and chicks frequent roadsides and trails. When male displays, ruffles neck feathers to reveal wrinkled yellow skin and makes deep hooting noise, slightly higher pitched than Dusky. Female browner and more intricately patterned. Note large size and relatively long tail. Feeds on plant matter, especially conifer needles. Separate from Dusky Grouse by range.
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