Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon

Columba elphinstonii

Uncommon smooth gray pigeon with dark rusty-red wings. Black-and-white barred neck pattern only visible if seen well. Inhabits wet forests in hilly and montane areas, where it typically forages quietly up in the canopy; occasionally descends down to feed on the ground. Occasionally gives low sonorous coos.

识别特征

This pigeon appears dark grey and a black and white patterned patch made of white tipped stiff feathers on the back of the neck is distinctive. The mantle is chestnut. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. The most confusable other species is the mountain imperial pigeon but that species has paler underwing coverts. The feet and the base of the bill are red.<p>The species is evolutionarily close to the Ceylon woodpigeon Columba torringtoni and the ashy wood pigeon Columba pulchricollis which form a clade that is basal within the Old World genus Columba. The binomial commemorates Mountstuart Elphinstone (1779–1859).

分类信息

学名
Columba elphinstonii
命名信息
(Sykes, 1832)
Columbiformes
Columbidae
Columba

分布与栖息地

The species is mainly found along the Western Ghats and in the Nilgiri Hills. Although found mainly in the hills, it is sometimes seen at lower elevations within the Western Ghats. A few relict populations survive on the high elevations hills of the peninsula such as the Biligirirangan Hills and Nandi Hills near Bangalore.

迁徙
Resident species

行为

Nilgiri wood pigeons are usually seen singly, in pairs or in small groups, feeding almost entirely in the trees but sometimes descending to the ground to forage on fallen fruits. Although feeding mainly on fruits they have been recorded taking small snails and other invertebrates. The breeding season is March to July during which time they make a flimsy platform of twigs and lay a single white egg which is usually visible from below the nest. They feed on large fruit and may play an important role in dispersal of the seeds of many forest trees. Fruit of the family Lauraceae are particularly favoured and most of their food is gathered by gleaning on the outer twigs of the middle and upper canopy. They have been recorded ingesting soil that may provide mineral nutrients or aid digestion. They often make movements within the forest according to the fruiting seasons of their favourite trees. Their call is a loud langur-like low-frequency hooting "who" followed by a series of deep "who-who-who" notes.

保护状况

种群趋势
declining

照片

分布

鸟叫声

其他鸟类

African Pipit

African Pipit

Anthus cinnamomeus

The default pipit across much of Africa. Brown above and pale below, with a streaked back, well-marked face, and white outer tail feathers. There is considerable geographic variation, from pale and sandy to rich brown and rufous. Found in a variety of open and usually grassy habitats, both near water and in dry areas. Call is a sneezing “tzsht”. Song comprises consecutive series of rattles, given in flight. Very similar to other pipits; some of the key features to look for include the yellow base of the bill, streaked back, and white outer tail feathers.

Moluccan Cuckooshrike

Moluccan Cuckooshrike

Coracina atriceps

A large, long-tailed, heavy-billed cuckooshrike. Male has a complete black hood. Female lacks hood, but head is darker gray to blackish, without a clear black throat. Both sexes are largely pale gray above and white-bellied. Singles or pairs inhabit upper levels of forest and edges in lowland and foothills. Confined to the Moluccas. Larger and heavier-billed than Halmahera and Common Cicadabirds, and white belly separates it from those species and from Stout-billed Cuckooshrike. Distinguished from Black-faced Cuckooshrike by the black hood that includes nape and crown. Gives a harsh, accelerating rattle, “grrgrrgrr-grrRT-GRRRT-GRRRT,” and a high-pitched, soft whining “wheeeyoo.”

Taveta Golden-Weaver

Taveta Golden-Weaver

Ploceus castaneiceps

Breeding male is rich yellow with darker orange patches on the breast and the rear part of the crown. The female is dark on the back and buffy yellowish below with a pale base to the bill. Both sexes show a dark eye. Breeds in and around reedbeds, but ranges into surrounding savanna and woodland. Very similar to Golden Palm Weaver, but there is no overlap in range. Also similar to Holub’s and African Golden-Weavers, but usually separated by the black eyes. Females can be confusing, but almost always associate with the more distinctive males. The calls include a dry rattling that is combined with typical weaver “radio static” in the song. 

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