Ore spot pigeon
| Ore spot pigeon | ||||||||||
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Ore pigeon ( Turtur abyssinicus ) |
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| Turtur abyssinicus | ||||||||||
| ( Sharpe , 1902) |
The ore flecked pigeon ( Turtur abyssinicus ), also called black- billed pigeon, is a species of pigeon birds. It occurs exclusively in tropical Africa.
Appearance
The ore spot pigeon reaches a body size of 20 centimeters. It is very similar to the bronze spot dove . However, it is lighter overall and a little grayer in the plumage. The wing spots are slightly smaller compared to this species, they are dark blue and shimmering reddish. The beak is black, which is one of the main distinguishing features from the bronze spot dove.
Distribution and way of life
The distribution area of the ore flecked pigeon extends in dry, tropical Africa from Senegal via Darfur to the Blue Nile. In a southerly direction it extends into northern Nigeria. The north of Ethiopia and Eritrea are also settled. Its distribution area thus joins the distribution area of the bronze spot dove in the north . The altitude distribution extends from the lowlands to altitudes of 1,800 meters above sea level.
The habitat of the ore pigeon are dry forest zones and grass steppes interspersed with trees and bushes. The food spectrum includes seeds and small insects. The nest is usually built low in the bushes or undergrowth. The clutch consists of two eggs. The incubation period is 15 days. The young birds leave the nest after 17 days.
Keeping in human care
The ore spot pigeon is often confused with the steel spot pigeon and the bronze spot pigeon, so that the first import to Europe is not guaranteed. The first European breeding of this species took place in England in 1977.
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 .
- 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 link
- Turtur abyssinicus inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.