About the Island Bronze-naped Pigeon
The island bronze-naped pigeon, also known as the São Tomé bronze-naped pigeon or São Tomé pigeon, is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. It is endemic to the Gulf of Guinea, where it is found on the islands of São Tomé, Príncipe, and Annobón. It inhabits rainforest, secondary forests, and plantations at elevations of up to 1,668 m (5,472 ft), although it is more common at lower elevations. A small, darkish pigeon, it has a total length of 28 cm (11 in). Adult males have slate-grey heads and upper backs, blackish-grey wings, backs, and tails, buffy-white throats, ashy-grey breasts and bellies, and rufous vents. The back of the neck and upper back are glossy pink or green,…
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ID tip
The island bronze-naped pigeon is a small, darkish pigeon with a total length of 28 cm (11 in) and a wing length of 178–182 mm (7.0–7.2 in) in males and 165–176 mm (6.5–6.9 in) in females. In adult males, the crown (top of the head), forecrown, hindcrown, back of the neck, and mantle are slaty-grey, with the last three having a glossy pink or green sheen. The wings and back down to the top of the tail are blackish-grey with a greenish tinge. The chin and throat are buffy-white, while the breast and belly are pale ashy-grey. Voice: The advertising call consists of two hoarse hoots followed by 15–20 stuttering notes, "rhuuuw...rhuuw...rhu-tu-tu-tu-tutututu", with the later notes being shorter and eventually fading away. It is quite distinct from the calls of the other bronze-naped pigeons, and is more reminiscent of Streptopelia doves in its tone and structure. The species also makes nasal "wuh..wuh..." calls when feeding.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Benin.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Andaman Wood PigeonColumba palumboidesIts head is white with a red yellow-tipped beak with red claws.
Cameroon Olive PigeonColumba sjostedtiThe Cameroon olive pigeon is a species of bird in the family Columbidae.
Sao Tome Olive PigeonColumba thomensisThe bird is 37 to 40 centimetres (15 to 16 in) long.
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