Harlequin dove
| Harlequin dove | ||||||||||
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Harlequin Pigeon ( Phaps histrionica ) |
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| ( Gould , 1841) |
The harlequin dove ( Phaps histrionica ) is a species from the genus of the bronze winged doves ( Phaps ) within the family of the pigeons (Columbidae).
It occurs exclusively on the Australian continent. It inhabits semi-deserts and grass steppes and is a very nomadic way of life. The species is not considered threatened. The conversion of parts of their distribution area into pasture and cultivation areas and the food competition from grazing cattle and introduced rabbits has led to their distribution area being reduced. It has also decreased in the regions where the also introduced foxes have settled. The IUCN assumes that the species cannot survive in regions with fox populations.
Appearance
The harlequin dove reaches a body length of 28 centimeters. In size it is thus between a turtle-dove and a pigeon . Compared to these two species, however, it is much more compact and has long wings and a short tail in relation to its body size. This physique, which is reminiscent of the shape of a grouse , makes them unmistakable in their area of distribution. None of the other Australian pigeons has this appearance. The species shows a conspicuous sexual dimorphism .
The head of the male harlequin pigeon is black with some white areas. The forehead is white and there is a crescent-shaped white band behind the eye. Another wide white band runs below the throat. The rear neck, the mantle, the back, the inner wing covers, the upper tail coverts and the middle tail feathers are reddish brown to sandy brown. The two outer tail feathers are clearly darker red-brown. The female lacks the contrasting black and white head markings. Her head is predominantly black-brown and the areas that are white in the male are cream-colored to grayish.
Spread and behavior
The harlequin pigeon is found exclusively on the Australian continent and inhabits arid zones in the center of the continent. Their preferred habitat are grass steppes and semi-deserts. However, it also occurs in bushland, on the edge of deserts and eucalyptus savannas that are sparsely populated with trees.
While it is occasionally observed individually in the fringes of its range, it occurs in very large swarms in the center of its range. These swarms look for food on the ground and are very inconspicuous because of their sandy-colored plumage. The food spectrum of the harlequin pigeon includes grass and herb seeds as well as occasionally young, green parts of plants. It has now also specializes undigested seeds from the dung of cattle pick out. The peak of activity is similar to that of other bronze winged pigeons in the early morning and late evening. During the hot time of the day, the pigeons rest on the bottom wherever they can find shade. Harlequin pigeons have to drink every day and often fly many miles to get to watering holes.
As with many species of arid habitats, the harlequin pigeon breeds as soon as its habitat offers it suitable conditions. In most years, the peak of the breeding season falls in the south of their range in the months of September to December and in the north in the months of March to July. It usually breeds in loose colonies. The nest is a shallow hollow on the ground covered with some dry grass and a few twigs. The clutch consists of two eggs. The breeding season is 16 days. The young birds can leave the nest after six to seven days.
swell
Web link
- Phaps histrionica inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Endangered Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
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 . M. & H. Schaper Verlag, Alfeld-Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0 .