White-naped Pigeon
Columba albinucha
A dark maroon-gray pigeon with a hind-crown and nape that are white in the male and gray in the female. At close quarters the bill can be seen to have a black base with a red-yellow tip, and the legs are reddish-purple. In flight the tail has pale-tipped corners. A scarce and localized resident found in pairs in the canopy of lowland and sub-montane forest in isolated populations in the Albertine Rift and Cameroon. Vocalizations are poorly documented, but reputed to be similar to those of Rameron Pigeon, which is larger than White-naped with a yellow eye-ring, bill, and feet, white speckling on the wings, and no white on the head.
Identification
The white-naped pigeon (Columba albinucha) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is native to the Western High Plateau, the Adamawa and Bongo massifs and the Albertine Rift montane forests on the other. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat destruction.
Taxonomy
Genus: Columba; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.
- Scientific name
- Columba albinucha
- Authority
- Sassi, 1911
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columba
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Spiky upright crest distinguishes this large bunting from similar species. Male is glossy black with bright chestnut wings. Female is streaky dirt-brown with slightly duller wings. A hill specialist, often found on rocky, bushy hillsides and terraced fields. Generally in pairs or small flocks. Short song begins with a few buzzy notes and ends with mellow whistling. Call is hard “chik.”
Straw-necked Ibis
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Blackish ibis with white neck and underparts, beautiful iridescence on upper parts visible in good light. Adult has ‘straw-like’ plumes on neck, which are absent in juveniles. Often flies in formation at high altitudes, with flock sizes varying greatly. Typically feeds in grassland habitats, farm paddocks, and sporting fields.
Black-headed Sibia
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Somewhat recalling a darker, smaller Azure-winged Magpie, this medium-sized babbler is found in foothill to montane forests from central China to far southern Vietnam. Generally one of the most common birds in pristine hill forest throughout much of its range, and often a main component of mixed flocks. Typically moves through the canopy, though may descend lower, even occasionally to the ground when foraging.
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