Tambourine doves

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Tambourine doves
Tambourine doves

Tambourine doves

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : African bush pigeons ( Turtur )
Type : Tambourine doves
Scientific name
Turtur tympanistria
( Temminck , 1810)

The tambourine pigeon ( Turtur tympanistria ), also called tambourine pigeon or tambourine pigeon, is a small species of pigeon birds. It occurs exclusively in Africa. Some authors do not find the species assigned to the African bush pigeon, but placed in its own genus Tympanistria .

Appearance

The tambourine pigeon reaches a body length of 23 centimeters and with this size belongs to the largest species of African bush pigeons . It is a third smaller than the laughing dove. Compared to this, however, the tambourine pigeon is more compact and also has a shorter tail. There is a slight gender dimorphism .

The male has a white face, white throat, chest, and underside of the body. A fine dark line of color runs from the base of the beak to the eye. The top of the body is dark brown. The head and neck, however, are more gray-brown. The flanks are red-brown. The beak is purple and turns dark gray towards the tip. The iris is brown. The feet are reddish. The females resemble the males. However, their white plumage is washed out gray.

The call of the tambourine dove is a long lasting you-you-you-you-you . The flight of the pigeon is quick and straight. In flight, the red-brown hand wings are particularly noticeable.

distribution and habitat

The tambourine dove has a large distribution area in Africa. This ranges from Senegal in East Africa to Ethiopia and Kenya. In a southerly direction it extends through East Africa to the southeast of the African continent. The pigeon, on the other hand, is absent in the drier areas of southwest Africa. It is also found in densely vegetated gardens as well as cocoa and rubber plantations. It is a relatively shy species that is usually only noticed when it is discovered.

The nest is usually built low in bushes or trees. The nest is loosely put together from twigs. The clutch consists of two eggs. Both parent birds breed. However, the female spends most of the time on the eggs. The breeding season is 13 days. The nestlings leave the nest after 13 to 14 days.

Keeping in human care

The tambourine pigeon plays because of its pretty color, its beautiful body shape and its easy sex differentiation to the frequently maintained species in wild pigeon keeping. However, they absolutely need large amounts of oil-containing seeds for their well-being.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. see for example Münst, p. 114
  2. Rösler, p. 151
  3. Münst, p. 114

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 .

Web links

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