Dwarf doves

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Dwarf doves
Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Darien, Panama (48444368626) .jpg

Dwarf dove ( Columbina minuta )

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Columbina
Type : Dwarf doves
Scientific name
Columbina minuta
( Linnaeus , 1766)

The dwarf dove ( Columbina minuta ) is a species of pigeon birds that is part of the subfamily of American pigeons . The species occurs in several subspecies in Central and South America and is considered not to be endangered in their existence.

Appearance

The dwarf dove reaches a height of 15 centimeters. It is one of the smallest pigeon species in the Columbina genus and is considered one of the smallest pigeon species at all. In its plumage it is very similar to the sparrow dust, but this species lacks the black spots on the sides of the neck and on the chest.

The plumage on the head and neck is blue-gray. The top of the body is matt gray-brown. The wings are a little redder. The underside of the body is light reddish in color. The beak is black. The feet are reddish.

Distribution and way of life

The range of the dwarf dove is very disjoint. Populations occur in southern Mexico, the coastal area of Guatemala , El Salvador, and Belize . The species is absent in Honduras , but occurs again in Nicaragua . Costa Rica as well as Panama and the west of Colombia are also settled. Another distribution area extends over the east of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and the northeast of Argentina. Another population occurs from southwest Ecuador to Peru. Dwarf doves are in Central America at altitudes up to 750 meters above sea level. to be found. In Peru, on the other hand, heights of 2,100 meters are also populated.

The dwarf dove's habitat is dry savannah, subtropical to tropical arid shrub savannah, subtropical to tropical grassland, seasonal tropical to subtropical alluvial land and light secondary forests. During the day, the dwarf pigeon stays on the ground and runs rather than flying up. At night, on the other hand, it booms. The food spectrum consists of seeds. The breeding time depends on the respective distribution area. In Venezuela, for example, the dwarf dove breeds all year round. However, the peak of the breeding season falls between April and November. The nest is very fragile and is built on the ground or low in the undergrowth. The clutch consists of two white eggs. The breeding season is 13 to 14 days. The young birds fledge after twelve to fourteen days.

Keeping in human care

The dwarf dove was first kept in Great Britain in 1899. The first breeding succeeded in 1908 in the same country. Breeding is not considered easy as the species is very sensitive to disturbances. Diamond pigeons are often used as nurse birds for breeding this species.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. Rösler, p. 199
  2. Münst, p. 96
  3. Rösler, p. 199
  4. Gibbs, p. 337
  5. Münst, p. 95

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

Commons : Little Dove ( Columbina minuta )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files