Colombe turvert

Identification

The bird is a relatively small pigeon and varies in length from 19 to 21 centimetres (7.6 to 8.4 inches). The peaceful dove has a pink-grey breast with chequered grey-brown wings. Thin striations of black appear around the neck and nape area and descend down the back. The eye is greyish-white and a blue-grey ring surrounds the eye that tapers off and joins the beak/cere. The juveniles are paler and less striated. They also have a duller eye ring. The nape is similar to that of the bar-shouldered dove in that the nape feathers are striated but differs in that the bar-shouldered dove does not have striated throat feathers like the peaceful dove. Furthermore, the nape feathers are grey-brown in colour compared to the vivid copper colour seen with bar-shouldered doves.<p>Calls of the peaceful dove are high-pitched "doodle-doo", "co-co-coo" and "croorrr!".

Taxonomie

Nom scientifique

Geopelia placida

Autorité

Gould, 1844

Ordre

Columbiformes

Famille

Columbidés

Genre

Geopelia

Répartition et habitat

They can be found all over Australia except Tasmania, southern Victoria and south western Australia . Unfortunately, the doves' range is reducing due to competition with the introduced spotted turtle dove. In New Guinea they are mainly found in the south of the island but also occur at a few sites in the north and on the Aru Islands.

Migration

Resident species

Comportement

The peaceful dove is found in pairs, groups and flocks. They feed off the ground and are found commonly in streets and gardens. They also are found in scrublands, woodlands, watercourses, railyards and on the edge of rainforests. When not found on the ground feeding, they can be found in trees roosting.<p>The doves fly in a rapid, undulating motion. The wings make a flushing "frrr" noise when the birds are in flight.

Conservation

Tendance de la population

stable