Western Bronze-naped Pigeon
Columba iriditorques
Blackish, short-tailed, medium-sized pigeon. Both sexes have reddish underparts, and the male shows a contrastingly gray head. There is a buff tip to the tail which can be conspicuous in flight. Found in rainforest and gallery forest. Inconspicuous bird that spends most of its time in the forest canopy. Song is a “bouncing ball” accelerating series of low hoots. Fairly similar to Lemon Dove, but rarely found in the understory, and has a dark face. Male could be confused with Blue-headed Wood-Dove, but has a much darker back, and is usually found higher in the forest.
Identification
A medium sized bird, the western bronze-naped pigeon measures about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in length. It has a pale, broad terminal tail band which is noticeable on landing. The adult male weighs about 130 grams (4.6 oz), and has dark bluish grey head, and dark vinous belly and breast. The adult female weighs about 122 grams (4.3 oz), and has cinnamon-reddish brown crown, and greyish chestnut underparts.
Taxonomy
The species was first described in 1856 by the American ornithologist John Cassin. It is occasionally considered conspecific (belonging to the same species) with the eastern bronze-naped pigeon (Columba delegorguei) and the island bronze-naped pigeon (Columba malherbii), and the three species are sometimes placed in the subgenus Turturoena.
- Scientific name
- Columba iriditorques
- Authority
- Cassin, 1856
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columba
Range and habitat
It is widespread across the African tropical rainforest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
Since 1988, the western bronze-naped pigeon has been rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. This is because it has a large range, and because its population is stable and thought not to have declined by 30% over ten years or three generations. Although the population size has not been measured, it is thought to be more than the threshold required to warrant it a vulnerable rating. There is no evidence of any population decline of the species, or substantial threat to it.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ochre-headed Flycatcher
Myiagra cervinicauda
A small flycatcher. Male is glossy blue-black with a white belly and base of the undertail. Female has a gray head, a deep rufous throat and chest, and a cinnamon back and belly. Common in native forest up to 700 meters of elevation, less common in degraded habitats. Voice is a rasping, repeated “zhay-zhay-zhay.”
Penan Bulbul
Alophoixus ruficrissus
A brownish-olive bulbul with a wispy crest and a puffy, glowingly white throat. Inhabits lowland and montane forests, where it prefers primary or well-aged secondary growth. Forages in the middle and lower levels of the forest, usually in small, noisy flocks. Calls consist primarily of loud, dry “chek” notes; song is pleasant and warbling. Similar to Gray-cheeked Bulbul, but darker, especially on the underparts, with a more conspicuous white throat and a longer crest.
Ochre-throated Foliage-gleaner
Automolus ochrolaemus
Skulking and generally inconspicuous brown bird of humid tropical forest. Found as singles or pairs, clambering in vine tangles or other dense understory, at times in leaf litter on the forest floor; usually difficult to see clearly. Note the rich buffy throat, conspicuous buffy eyebrow and eyering, and rusty tail on an otherwise plain dark brownish bird. Song is a descending series of nasal notes, speeding up and often sputtering at the end. Occurs from central Panama (where approaches the range of Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner, and best distinguished by voice) throughout much of northern South America, to central Brazil.
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