Turtur afer

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Blue-spotted wood-dove
French : Tourtelette améthystine

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Columbiformes
Family : Columbidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can reach 22 cm long for a weight of 74 g. Brown plumage, clear breast with pink wash, whitish rump and forehead, grey-blue crown. Red bill with clear tip, dark red legs. Wing spots are iridescent amethyst-blue.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zimbabwe and northeast South Africa. Lives in moist woodlands, forest edges, secondary and mountain forests to 2000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix III
Status : The species is widespread and quite common but its range is more and more fragmented. No known threats at this time.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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