Little Cuckoo-Dove
Macropygia ruficeps
A small brown dove with a disproportionately long, broad tail. Both sexes have a dark brown back and wings and an orange-brown head and underparts. Female has several large black dots on the chest that the male lacks. Like most cuckoo-doves, elusive and often difficult to see well in the gloom of the undergrowth of the broadleaf evergreen forests this species prefers. Gives a long series of bouncy hoots.
Identification
The little cuckoo-dove is a reddish brown pigeon, measuring 27 to 30 cm (11 to 12 in) in length, and weighing 74 to 88 g (2.6 to 3.1 oz). It has cinnamon buff plumage. It has greyish white irides. The beak is brown, and has a black tip. The feet are coral red in colour. The tail is long, and it differentiates the little cuckoo-dove from other sympatric (species existing in the same geographic area and thus frequently encountering one another) pigeons. Little cuckoo-doves travel in loose flocks.
Taxonomy
Genus: Macropygia; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.
- Scientific name
- Macropygia ruficeps
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1835)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Macropygia
Range and habitat
The little cuckoo-dove is found in evergreen hill forests and forest peripheries, in the north of its range. Southwards, it is found in drier forests and in adjacent areas of second-growth forests. It is also found in cultivated areas. It is commonly found in submontane habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,000 m (980 to 6,560 ft) above sea level. It has also been recorded at heights of at least 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) from sea level on Mount Kinabulu, and sometimes at sea level.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Palau Ground Dove
Pampusana canifrons
A rotund, short-legged ground-dwelling dove that usually runs rather than flies when startled. Mostly brown with a pale whitish-gray chest and face. With good views, the pale cinnamon neck and head are distinctive. No similar species occur in its range. Gives a typical dove-like “whoo whoo” call that accelerates over around 15 notes.
Mitred Parakeet
Psittacara mitratus
A medium-sized green parakeet with a long tail and scattered red feathers on the face. Similar to Red-masked Parakeet, but the red on the face is usually less extensive and Mitred lacks the red underwings seen on Red-masked. Calls are loud screeches. Introduced to Hawaii and California, where it often coexists with Red-masked Parakeet and forms potential intergrades.
Northern Bald Ibis
Geronticus eremita
Unique blackish ibis with a bare red face and throat. Long quills form a raggedy mane. Short legs do not project beyond the tail in flight. Breeds in colonies on cliff ledges in semidesert regions; forages in open dry habitats. Critically Endangered with most remaining birds in Morocco; migratory eastern populations in Syria and Turkey all but extinct. Historically bred in central and southern Europe and plans for reintroduction are moving forward.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.