Cameroon Pigeon

Columba sjostedti

A large dark purple-gray pigeon with distinctive white spots on the breast and back, a blue-gray head, and a bright red-and-yellow bill. Often seen flying over the canopy in transit or during display flights, and sometimes perches conspicuously in the open. Found exclusively in montane forests. Vocalizations are poorly known, but appear to consist of a growl followed by multiple low coos. Overlaps locally with White-naped Pigeon, which has a white head patch and dark spots on a lighter chest, unlike the Cameroon Pigeon’s uniformly gray head and white-spotted dark body.

Identification

A large dark purple-gray pigeon with distinctive white spots on the breast and back, a blue-gray head, and a bright red-and-yellow bill. Often seen flying over the canopy in transit or during display flights, and sometimes perches conspicuously in the open. Found exclusively in montane forests. Vocalizations are poorly known, but appear to consist of a growl followed by multiple low coos. Overlaps locally with White-naped Pigeon, which has a white head patch and dark spots on a lighter chest, unlike the Cameroon Pigeon’s uniformly gray head and white-spotted dark body.

Taxonomy

Genus: Columba; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.

Scientific name
Columba sjostedti
Authority
Reichenow, 1901
Order
Columbiformes
Family
Columbidae
Genus
Columba

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.