Yellow-eyed Pigeon
Columba eversmanni
Nondescript brownish-gray pigeon with a bright yellow eye-ring. Wing pattern noticeably weaker than that of larger Hill Pigeons and wild-type Rock Doves. Favors open arid areas and mountain valleys, usually near a water source. Breeds in western Central Asia, with part of the population migrating south to western South Asia in the winter. Species has undergone significant decline in recent years and is now fairly uncommon in its range.
Identification
The yellow-eyed pigeon is a medium-sized pigeon growing to a length of about 30 cm (12 in) and a weight of 183 to 234 g (6.5 to 8.3 oz). It is mostly grey, with a slightly brownish tinge to the upper parts and a pinkish-purple sheen on the crown, throat and breast. The wing has a black bar and the tail has a diffuse dark band. The lower back, rump and underside of the wings are white or pale grey. There is bare area of yellowish skin around the eye, the iris is yellow, the beak is yellowish and the feet pink. This pigeon could be confused with the rock dove (C. livia), but that species has more prominent wing bars and tail band. The hill pigeon (C. rupestris) is also similar, but it has a white subterminal band on the tail above the black terminal band. The yellow-eyed pigeon is generally a silent bird, but during the breeding season it sometimes emits a faint "oo-oo-oo".
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Columba eversmanni
- Authority
- Bonaparte, 1856
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columba
Range and habitat
The yellow-eyed pigeon breeds in southern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, north-east Iran and the extreme north-west part of China. It migrates southwards in the autumn to overwinter in Pakistan, north-western India and northwestern China, in the provinces of Xinjiang and Gansu. In its breeding area it inhabits steppes and other lowland habitats including semi-arid and arid areas. In its winter quarters it is found in agricultural areas, orchards and open countryside with scattered trees. It is particularly attracted to areas with mulberry trees.
- Breeding range
- PAL : Iran to nw China
- Non-breeding range
- nw India, Pakistan and Iran
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The yellow-eyed pigeon feeds largely on seeds, grains and berries, usually foraging on the ground but sometimes plucking fruits from the bough. It migrates southwards in October and November, forming flocks in winter and roosting in trees. At one time flocks were numbered in thousands of individuals, but the numbers of birds have dwindled and flocks now often contain a few dozen birds, and seldom exceed a few hundred. It returns to its breeding range in April and nesting takes place during the late spring and summer. The nest site is in a hole in a cliff, a hollow tree or a ruined building. Two white eggs are laid on a platform of sticks.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
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