Mountain pigeons
| Mountain pigeons | ||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Gymnophaps | ||||||||||
| Salvadori , 1874 |
The mountain pigeons ( Gymnophaps ) are a genus of pigeon birds. The three species that belong to this genus occur exclusively on New Guinea and some of the neighboring islands.
Appearance
The genus includes three medium-sized, long-winged and long-tailed pigeons. The body length varies between 33 and 38 centimeters, depending on the species. Mountain pigeons are characterized by their plumage with matt gray, white and chestnut brown colors. All three species have relatively large, featherless and red circles under the eyes. In their physique they are very similar to the large fruit pigeons . The digestive system also resembles the large fruit pigeons and the downy pigeons, two genera that are counted among the fruit pigeons . Although they have twelve tail feathers like the field pigeons and their flight is fast and rapid, similar to some field pigeon species, it is assumed that they are most closely related to the downy pigeons and the large fruit pigeons.
behavior
Mountain pigeons are mostly found in trees and eat fruits. They can often be observed in swarms and migrate nomadically in their habitat. The main area of distribution is the mountain forests of the Moluccas and Melanesia.
species
The following three species are counted among the mountain pigeons:
- Albertistaube ( Gymnophaps albertisii )
- Long-tailed mountain pigeon ( Gymnophaps mada )
- Pale mountain pigeon ( Gymnophaps solomonensis )
supporting documents
Individual evidence
literature
- David Gibbs, Eustace Barnes and John Cox: Pigeons and Doves - A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World . Pica Press, Sussex 2001, ISBN 90-74345-26-3
- Gerhard Rösler: The wild pigeons of the earth - free living, keeping and breeding . Verlag M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0
