Somali Pigeon
Columba oliviae
A medium-sized pale gray pigeon with a mauve cap, a yellow eye, and an iridescent bronze-green collar. In flight it shows a blue-gray rump, dark wing edges, and a dark banded tail. Pairs and small flocks are uncommon and local residents and nomads, restricted to cliffs and hills near the northern Somali coastline, preferring dry areas devoid of vegetation. Within Somali Pigeon’s range, the much darker and more heavily spotted Speckled Pigeon is expanding; smaller collared-doves all have a dark band on the hind-neck. Somali Pigeon’s vocalizations are poorly known but described as “wuk-wuk-wuk-ooooh” and other pigeon-like sounds.
Identification
C. oliviae is a mid-sized pigeon with pale grey coloration, a mauve cap, yellow eyes and an iridescent collar with bronze-green tones. It has a bluish-gray rump, dark wing edges and dark bands along its tail; all of these features are most clearly seen in flight. Its range overlaps with that of the much darker and more densely spotted speckled pigeon, which is rapidly expanding into the Somali pigeon's territory. Unlike various species of collared doves with which its range overlaps, it lacks a characteristic dark band on the hind-neck. It may also be confused with feral pigeons (C. livia), but the Somali pigeon is smaller and less dark than C. livia.<p>As with many other aspects of the species, the Somali pigeon's vocalizations are not well known, but have described as a "wuk-wuk-wuk-ooooh". It also produces other pigeon-like noises, including cooing sounds.
Taxonomy
The Somali pigeon is placed in the Oenas sub-group within the genus Columba alongside the stock dove and yellow-eyed pigeon, based on their similar mauve heads and wing markings, but believed to be more closely related to the latter overall.
- Scientific name
- Columba oliviae
- Authority
- Clarke, S, 1918
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columba
Range and habitat
The exact distribution is unclear, but its range encompasses much of northeast and northwest of Somalia. It is non-migratory. It is a mostly ground-dwelling bird, found in arid, coastal environments, especially on cliffs and hills, usually found in areas with little vegetation. It is typically seen at altitudes of 75 metres (246 ft) to 750 metres (2,460 ft), but has been recorded as high as 1,425 metres (4,675 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner
Dendroma erythroptera
Gray-brown foliage-gleaner with reddish wings and tail. Face and throat washed with dull yellow, with a faint eyeline; this is unlike many other foliage-gleaners which have a clear eyebrow or throat patch. Usually forages fairly high in the midstory and canopy of mature rainforest, often with mixed species flocks. Many foliage-gleaners have reddish wings; look for reddish wings contrasting with grayish body and tawny ochraceous face and throat in this species.
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceus
Plump, medium-sized shorebird with very long bill. Extremely similar to Short-billed Dowitcher, and often flocks with it. Best distinguished by voice: a sharp, high-pitched “keek!” note, sometimes given in a series, unlike lower-pitched “tu-tu-tu” call of Short-billed. At all ages, look for subtle structural differences: Long-billed averages more hunch-backed, slightly longer-billed, and slightly taller, especially noticeable when in a mixed flock. Breeding birds have solidly salmon-orange underparts and rather dark upperparts with narrow rufous edges and white tips. Also look for sparse barring on the sides contrasting with denser spotting on the neck. Nonbreeding plumage is brownish-gray overall with a paler belly; extremely similar to Short-billed but averaging slightly darker and less patterned, especially on the breast and sides. Juveniles are easiest to identify: generally duller than Short-billed; look for plain dark-centered tertials and scapulars with narrow edging, rarely with some blurry internal markings. Breeds on tundra in high Arctic, and can be found in a variety of wetland habitats in migration and winter. Usually in flocks, feeding actively like a sewing machine. Tends to favor shallow marshy pools; somewhat more likely in freshwater habitats than Short-billed, but much overlap.
Golden Monarch
Carterornis chrysomela
A beautiful, unique monarch, glowing golden with a bright fiery-orange head and a black throat with a white teardrop. Tail and wings black with large yellow wing panels. Found in most forested habitats up to 1400 meters of elevation. Song is a loud, rolling warble, “ditoweet duweet duweer teerteerteer.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.