White-faced pigeons

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White-faced pigeons
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : White-faced pigeons
Scientific name
Turacoena
Bonaparte , 1854

The white-faced pigeons ( Turacoena ) are a genus of pigeon birds , which is assigned to the subfamily Columbinae . Only two species belong to the genus.

Appearance

The white-faced pigeons have predominantly black to black-gray plumage. There is hardly any gender dimorphism. They reach a body length of around 40 centimeters and are therefore as big as a city ​​pigeon . They are considered to be close relatives of the cuckoo pigeons and are similar to them both in size and physique. However, their tail is less stepped than is the case with the cuckoo pigeons and more rounded at the end.

Distribution area and behavior

White-faced pigeons are found on a few Southeast Asian islands. The Manadotaube inhabits Sulawesi and the neighboring islands of Manadotua, Lembeh, Bangka , Manterawu, Togian, Muna, Butung, Peleng and Sula . The Timor Pigeon, which is threatened in its population , only occurs on Timor and Wetar . Both are forest-dwelling species. In contrast to the cuckoo pigeons, the formation of small groups of white-faced pigeons is rare. They usually live either individually or in pairs. The food spectrum includes fruits and berries.

species

The following two monotypical species belong to the white-faced pigeons:

Occasionally two subspecies are described for the manada dove in the literature. However, the distinction between a subspecies Tm sulawensis is now classified as invalid .

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. Rösler, p. 147
  2. Gibbs, p. 280
  3. Gibbs, p. 281

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 . Verlag M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0 .

Web links

Commons : White-faced pigeons ( Turacoena )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files