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
- 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
Conservation
Since 1998, the little cuckoo-dove has been rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. This is because it has a large range—more than 20,000 km2 (7,700 mi2)—and because it has a stable population trend. Also, although its population numbers have not been determined, they are thought to be above 10,000, which is above the criterion to warrant a vulnerable rating. It is described to be common in the southern part of its range, and uncommon in the northern part of its range. It is thought to have no major threats.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue-vented Hummingbird
Saucerottia hoffmanni
Fairly small dark hummingbird, green overall with dark blue tail. Straight, medium-length bill. Copper rump and absence of rufous wing flash help distinguish from other similar species. Sexes similar. Usually seen feeding singly in flowers along forest edge, shrubby second growth, and gardens.
Plumbeous Pigeon
Patagioenas plumbea
Large dark pigeon of forest interior. Overall purplish-gray, slightly darker and browner on wings. Pale eye. Sexes alike. Note plainer appearance and longer tail than many other doves and pigeons. Most similar to Ruddy Pigeon but plumage grayer (not reddish) and eye paler. Usually quite secretive, staying in the canopy where singles or pairs feed on fruits. Found from lowlands into subtropical zone, up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft). More often heard than seen; listen for the cooing “who-cooks-for-you” song with the last two notes drawn out.
Curl-crested Jay
Cyanocorax cristatellus
Large jay found in savannas, semiopen areas, plantations, and occasionally gardens where it is usually encountered in small noisy groups. Note prominent black crest that curls backwards and a black throat, breast, and back. The wings and uppertail are blue while the lower half of the tail is white.
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