Nilgiri Wood Pigeon vs Speckled Wood Pigeon

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

Columba elphinstonii

Large379 gForest

This pigeon appears dark grey and a black and white patterned patch made of white tipped stiff feathers on the back of the neck is distinctive. The mantle is chestnut. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. The most confusable other species is the mountain imperial pigeon but that species has paler underwing coverts. The feet and the base of the bill are red.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Dipu Karuthedathu · Call · Kodaikanal, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India · CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Paulmathi Vinod · CC BY 4.0

Speckled Wood Pigeon

Columba hodgsonii

Large308 gForest

General Characteristics: Size of the Speckled wood pigeon is usually 38–40 cm (15–15.5 in) for adults. Adult male has a pale gray head, while female's head is grayish-brown, juvenile resembles the female but browner and paler than female. Adult male has a pinkish-silver breast and side of neck area, speckled with black spots, each feather on the breast area has a silver base, dark central streak, and the tip is silvery-pink. Hindneck feathers have black or purplish-black bases with silver tips, creating a speckled appearance. Female neck and breast color in less vibrant tones compared to male. Voice: Generally quiet and rarely vocalize, therefore limited information on vocalization. When they do call, their voice is characterized by a deep, throaty sound, described as "whock-whroo..whrooo". Call begins with a surprising first note, followed by a series of rolling sounds, with the third note being longer than the first. Often used as an alarm/warning signal.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Mathieu Soetens · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Speckled Wood Pigeon.