Bronze pigeon

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Bronze pigeon
Bronze neck pigeons: in front and in the middle males and females of the nominate form, in the background C. d.  sharpei

Bronze hawk pigeons: in front and in the middle males and females of the nominate form, in the background C. d. sharpei

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Field pigeons ( Columba )
Type : Bronze pigeon
Scientific name
Columba delegorguei
Delegorgue , 1847

The bronze- necked pigeon ( Columba delegorguei ), also wine-red gloss-naped pigeon , is a species of pigeon birds. It occurs exclusively in eastern and southern Africa. There are two subspecies , C. d. delegorguei and C. d. sharpei .

The stock situation of the bronze pigeon is given as least concern 'harmless'.

features

The bronze whale pigeon reaches a body length of 28 centimeters and is thus about the size of a laughing dove, but it has a somewhat more compact body and a shorter tail than this. It weighs between 136 and 175 grams. There is a pronounced gender dimorphism .

Features of the nominate form

In the male of the nominate form Columba delegorguei delegorguei , the head is blue-gray to dark gray. The throat and the nape have an iridescent pink-violet to emerald green. A striking white transverse band runs along the back of the neck. The mantle and the wing covers are purple-brown. The back and rump are pale blue-gray. The chest is dark mauve-pink and has small dark spots. The belly is dull brown, the under tail-coverts are dark gray. The beak is pale gray and brightens towards the tip. The iris is usually dark brown, but in some individuals it is also yellowish. The orbital ring is very narrow and light gray. The legs and feet are red.

The female is dark gray-brown on the underside of the body and predominantly dark slate-gray on the upper side. They are missing the white collar. The skull and neck shimmer copper-brown, but the iridescent plumage areas are smaller than in the male.

Characteristics of the subspecies Columba delegorguei sharpei

The subspecies Columba delegorguei sharpei occurs in Tanzania , south-east Sudan , Uganda and Kenya . Both sexes differ from those of the nominate form in that they have a larger proportion of dark slate-gray shades. The iridescent feathers on the male's neck shimmer more bronze green than emerald green. The breast has a stronger shade of pink.

Possible confusion

Olive pigeons - they have a superficial resemblance to the bronze pigeon

The olive pigeon also occurs in the entire distribution area of ​​the bronze whale pigeon . However, this is significantly larger and has a more cumbersome flight. The males lack the white collar on the back of the neck. Olive pigeons also have small white spots on the wing covers and are characterized by a light yellow beak and light yellow feet and legs.

Distribution area and habitat

The distribution area of ​​the bronze pigeon extends from the southeast of Sudan to South Africa, but the distribution area of ​​this high altitude pigeon species is disjoint . In Sudan, for example, it only occurs in mountain areas between 1100 and 2800 meters above sea level. In Uganda it occurs in the area of Mount Elgon and Mount Lonyili . The species is more widespread in Kenya and a more common species in the Kenyan highlands. In Mozambique it can be found at altitudes of 500 meters. It is basically a resident bird, but occasionally undertakes seasonal migrations when the food supply is scarce.

The bronze pigeon inhabits a number of different forest types. In Kenya and Natal it is found in cloud forests, but in southern Africa it also inhabits bushland, large gardens and plantations.

Way of life

The bronze hawk pigeon usually occurs in small flocks and lives mostly in tree tops. It only occasionally comes to the ground to look for food. Their wide range of foods includes fruits and berries. Occasionally it also eats seeds and animal protein in the form of insects.

The breeding season depends on their respective distribution area. In East Africa it breeds between March and June, while in South Africa the breeding season begins in January. The nest is built high in the trees. The clutch consists of two eggs.

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 .
  • Alois Münst and Josef Wolters: Tauben - The species of wild pigeons , 2nd expanded and revised edition, Verlag Karin Wolters, Bottrop 1999, ISBN 3-9801504-9-6 .
  • 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 .

Web links

Commons : Bronze pigeon ( Columba delegorguei )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Single receipts

  1. Columba delegorguei in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2012. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2012. Accessed October 17, 2016th
  2. a b c Gibbs, Barnes and Cox: Pigeons and Doves , p. 235.
  3. a b Gibbs, Barnes and Cox: Pigeons and Doves , p. 236.