Pigeons
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Pigeons |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scardafella squammata | ||||||||||
| ( Lesson , 1831) |
The scaled dove ( scardafella squammata ) is a type of pigeon birds, to the subfamily of American small pigeon belongs. The species occurs in several subspecies exclusively in South America. Due to the strongly scaled plumage, it cannot be confused with any other species in its range.
The scaly- necked pigeon, which also occurs in South America, has a similar-sounding name in German usage. However, the species belongs to the American field pigeons and is considerably larger.
Appearance
The pigeon reaches a body length of 22 centimeters. In appearance, the pigeon is very similar to the Inca pigeon belonging to the same genus . There is no gender dimorphism.
The plumage is light gray. All cover feathers have a dark edge so that the pigeon is very strongly scaled. The only thing missing is the scaling on the throat and the under-tail feathers. The chestnut-brown hand wings are mostly only visible in flight. The tail is long and tiered. The outer tail feathers have a white border.
Distribution area and habitat
The pigeon occurs in South America in two disjoint populations. One can be found in northern South America, where the distribution area of the subspecies S. s. ridgwayi extends from northern Colombia to Venezuela and French Guiana and the islands of Margarita and Trinidad . The nominate form occurs in the central area and in the east of Brazil to the north of Argentina and the east of Bolivia.
The pigeon habitat are arid and semi-arid regions. Grasslands and open savannahs with a few trees and some shrubs are inhabited from the lowlands up to an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level. The pigeon is also found on cultivated land and plantations. Humid and heavily forested regions are generally avoided. It is an adaptable species that has also developed as a habitat for human settlement and occurs, for example, in gardens and parks.
behavior
The pigeon is predominantly a resident bird. It spends a large part of its activity phase on the ground, looking for food in pairs or very small groups of just a few individuals. The food spectrum includes seeds, small invertebrates and snails. The breeding time varies depending on the area of distribution. In Colombia the species breeds from March to August, in Venezuela from September to October and in Brazil these pigeons brood all year round. The main breeding season there are the months September to November. The nest is built low in the bushes. Scaled-necked pigeons' nests are rarely found at a height of over two meters. The clutch consists of two white eggs. The incubation period is 13 to 14 days. The young are fledged after 12 to 15 days and very quickly independent. The parent birds then often move on to a second brood.
Keeping in human care
In the keeping of ornamental birds the pigeons play a smaller role than the inca pigeons. Although they are introduced from time to time, they have proven to be too shy and timid to keep in an aviary.
Web links
- Columbina squammata inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
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
- 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