Green-winged pigeons
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Green-winged pigeon ( Chalcophaps indica ) |
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| Gould , 1843 |
Green-winged pigeons ( Chalcophaps ) are a genus from the family of pigeon birds (Columbidae). They are closely related to the bronze winged doves ( Phaps ) and the genus Henicophaps . There are three species in the genus. Their range extends from India to the southeast of Australia.
Appearance
Green-winged pigeons have a compact build. The green-winged pigeon reaches a body length of up to 26 centimeters and weighs between 80 and 100 grams. The brown-backed green-winged pigeon is slightly smaller and lighter with a body length of up to 24 centimeters.
A striking and eponymous feature of this genus is the color of the wings. The green-winged pigeon has emerald-green wings that shimmer copper or bronze in many individuals. The wing covers of the brown-backed green-winged pigeon are emerald to bronze green. Sex dimorphism is present in both species. The male of the green-winged pigeon has white areas of color on the shoulder and forehead. This is not so pronounced in the females and may even be largely absent in some individuals. In the brown-backed green-winged pigeon, the male has a white forehead that is clearly delineated from the reddish-brown top of the head and neck. The female, on the other hand, has a gray forehead and is also more brownish on the head and neck.
Distribution area
Green-winged pigeons are a genus of birds from Australasia. The significantly larger area of distribution of the two species has the green-winged pigeon, which occurs in several subspecies in large parts of Southeast Asia and Australia. The northernmost distribution area has the nominate form Chalcophas indica indica , which is distributed as far as Kashmir . Other subspecies can be found on various islands in Australasia. So come Chalcophas indica natalis on Christmas Island before, Chalcophaps indica sandwichensis settled among others, the New Hebrides and New Caledonia . The range of the brown-backed green-winged pigeon is very small compared to that. It only occurs in Sulawesi and New Guinea .
Habitat and behavior
All species are forest-dwelling pigeons. The green-winged pigeon lives in forests in flat and hilly areas. The brown-backed green-winged pigeon occurs in the rainforests of Sulawesi and the lowland forests of New Guinea. Both species look for food on the ground. Seeds take up the largest part of the food spectrum. Berries, small fruits and termites are also eaten.
The nests are built in trees and bushes. The green-winged pigeon needs a relatively large amount of nesting material. The clutch consists of two eggs.
Keeping in human care
Only the green-winged pigeon is important as an ornamental bird. It was first held in England in 1794. The bronze-backed green-winged pigeon was not kept by the London Zoo until 1921, but it never bred. A few imports of this type were made in the 1980s. A Belgian breeder managed to raise a large number of young birds of this species in the 1990s.
Green-winged pigeons, which need very large aviaries with a heated shelter, are now kept in tropical halls in various zoos.
species
The following two species are counted among the green-winged pigeons:
- Gray Cap gloss dove ( Chalcophas indica ), also green wing dove called
- Brown-backed green-winged pigeon ( Chalcophas stephani )
- Brown-capped gloss pigeon (( Chalcophaps longirostris ))
swell
Web links
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 . M. & H. Schaper Verlag, Alfeld-Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0 .
- del Hoyo, J., Collar, N., Kirwan, GM & Garcia, EFJ (2019). Brown-capped Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps longirostris). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, DA & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/467143 on 25 March 2019).