Pigeons and Doves - Bird of the Month February 2014

[nan]

It was a very windy day in the Kgalagadi
and the Falcon (Lanner) was not so far away

Cape Turtle-Dove
28.1.2012



why they put all the head... well almost all the head... become easy for the Falcon

[Lisbeth]

Cape Turtle dove

[Flutterby]

Once considered a nuisance and actively exterminated, the Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon (Tuinduif) (Columba livia) is now one of the most popular and familiar urban birds in the world. Rock Doves are often simply referred to as the "pigeon". The species includes the domestic pigeon (including the fancy pigeon), and escaped domestic pigeons have given rise to feral populations around the world. Fossil evidence suggests the Rock Dove originated in southern Asia and skeletal remains unearthed in Israel confirm their existence there for at least three hundred thousand years. However, this species has such a long history with humans that it is impossible to tell exactly where the species' original range was

They have a wide range of color and marking variations due to escaped domestic birds and fancy stock breeding. Typical Rock Doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, and an iridescent neck that reflects blue, green and purple, although domestic and feral pigeons are very variable in colour and pattern. Eyes and legs are orange or reddish. There are few visible differences between males and females. Additional color variations include white, brown, tan or mottled birds.

Rock pigeons are common throughout the world. These birds thrive in human habitats and are most populous in large cities but can also be found in suburban and rural locations. They do not migrate.

Because they are so used to humans, they often seem semi-tame and will readily approach passersby for food. Large flocks of pigeons are constantly foraging or birds will roost in close contact with one another. They are very agile fliers that can reach speeds up to 85 miles per hour with their tapered, falcon-like wings.

Rock pigeons can brood at any time of year and both the male and female parents will tend the eggs during the 17-19 day incubation period. The fledgling phase lasts 25-35 days and for the first few days both parents will feed the young birds with regurgitated crop milk. One brood consists of 1-2 eggs, and pigeons can raise five or more broods per year.

[nan]

Different colours of Common Pigeon (Rock Dove/Pigeon)

[Flutterby]

Thanks nan...they do come in a myriad of colours!

[Amoli]

They have a wide range of color and marking variations due to escaped domestic birds and fancy stock breeding. Typical Rock Doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, and an iridescent neck that reflects blue, green and purple, although domestic and feral pigeons are very variable in colour and pattern. Eyes and legs are orange or reddish. There are few visible differences between males and females. Additional color variations include white, brown, tan or mottled birds.

[Flutterby]

The Laughing Dove (Rooborsduif) (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East east to the Indian Subcontinent. This small long-tailed dove is found in dry scrub and semi-desert habitats where pairs can often be seen feeding on the ground. A rufous and black chequered necklace gives it a distinctive pattern and is also easily distinguished from other doves by its call. Other names include Palm Dove and Senegal Dove, while in India the name of the Little Brown Dove is often used. It was introduced in Western Australia and has established itself in the wild around Perth and Fremantle.

The Laughing Dove is long-tailed and slim, typically 25 cm in length. It is pinkish brown on the underside with a lilac tinged head and neck. The head and underparts are pinkish, shading to buff on the lower abdomen. A chequered rufous and grey patch is found on the sides of the neck and are made up of split feathers. The upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey band along the wing. The back is uniform and dull brown in the Indian population. The African populations senegalensis and phoenicophila have a bluish grey rump and upper tail coverts but differ in the shades of the neck and wing feathers while aegyptiaca is larger and the head and nape are vinous and upper wing coverts are rufous. The tail is graduated and the outer feathers are tipped in white. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field. Young birds lack the chequered neck markings. The legs are red. The populations vary slightly in plumage with those from more arid zones being paler. Abnormal leucistic plumages have been noted.

The chuckling call is a low rolling croo-doo-doo-doo-doo with a rising and falling amplitude.

[nan]

Laughing Dove/Tourterelle maillée
Kruger, 13.3.2008



having a sand bath, Kruger, 28.10.2009

[Lisbeth]

Laughing dove, Pretoria

[nan]

Kruger

Laughing Dove

7.11.2009

5.3.2008