Giggle dove

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Giggle dove
Giggle dove

Giggle dove

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Lovebirds ( streptopelia )
Type : Giggle dove
Scientific name
Streptopelia bitorquata
( Temminck , 1810)

The giggle dove ( Streptopelia bitorquata ), also known as the Javanese turtle dove , is a type of pigeon bird that belongs to the lovebirds . It occurs in two subspecies in Southeast Asia. The name is derived from the giggling courtship call of this pigeon.

Appearance

The giggle dove reaches a body length of 30 centimeters. It is about the size of a laughing pigeon , but is considerably stronger.

The head and neck of the giggling dove are blue-gray. The front of the head is slightly lightened. The black neck band on the back of the neck is bordered by a white stripe at the top. On the underside, the stripe is significantly smaller and sometimes barely visible. The chest is mauve, the flanks are light gray. The belly and the underside of the tail are white. The back and the upper tail-coverts are yellowish brown. The wing-coverts are blue-gray, with the large wing-coverts and the wings of the hand being darker. The beak is dark gray. The iris is orange.

distribution and habitat

The nominate form Streptopelia bitorquata bitorquata colonizes Java , Bali , Lombok , Flores , Sumbawa , Solor and Timor . The subspecies Streptopelia bitorquata dusumieri occurs in the Philippines , the Sulu Archipelago , in the north of Kalimantan . Overall, it is a rare species on Java, Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands, although larger concentrations can occur locally.

The giggling pigeon populates loosely tree-lined habitats. It is also found on agricultural areas and has also developed human settlement areas as living space.

behavior

The giggling pigeon is usually found singly or in small groups. Larger collections are rare exceptions. The giggling pigeon searches for food mainly on the ground and mainly eats seeds. The nest is built at a low height in bushes, shrubs and trees. The clutch consists of two eggs.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. Rösler, p. 132
  2. Münst, p. 175
  3. ^ Gibbs, p. 263
  4. Rösler, p. 133

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 .

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