Namaqua Dove
Oena capensis
The Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) is a uncommon doves and pigeon found in 60 countries, weighing about 41 g. The Namaqua dove is a very small species of pigeon.
About the Namaqua Dove
The Namaqua dove is a very small species of pigeon. It is the only species in the genus Oena. It is found over much of Sub-Saharan Africa as well as Arabia and Madagascar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Namaqua dove is a tiny pigeon, typically 22 cm in length with a 28–33 cm wingspan, and weighing 40g. It has a very long black tapered tail, and the size and shape have led to comparison with the budgerigar. The plumage is mostly grey apart from a white belly, and chestnut primary feathers which are visible in flight. The adult male has a yellow and red beak and a black face, throat and breast. The adult female lacks the black and has a red-based grey bill. Young birds are dark blotched on the wings and shoulders, and otherwise resemble the females.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Togo, Georgia, Lebanon, Cyprus, Central African Republic, United States, Syria.
When to see it
The Namaqua Dove can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Namaqua Dove?
- The Namaqua dove is a tiny pigeon, typically 22 cm in length with a 28–33 cm wingspan, and weighing 40g. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Namaqua Dove?
- The Namaqua Dove is a small sized bird weighing about 41 g.
- Where can you see a Namaqua Dove?
- The Namaqua Dove occurs in 60 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Israel and Madagascar.
- What birds look similar to a Namaqua Dove?
- The Namaqua Dove is most easily confused with the Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, the Spot-winged Pigeon and the Zenaida Dove.
- Is the Namaqua Dove endangered?
- The Namaqua Dove is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Namaqua Dove for real
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