Speckled Pigeon
A species of Old World Pigeons, Also known as Rock Pigeon Scientific name : Columba guinea Genus : Old World Pigeons
Speckled Pigeon, A species of Old World Pigeons
Also known as:
Rock Pigeon
Botanical name: Columba guinea
Genus: Old World Pigeons
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Lip Kee Yap , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
This is a large pigeon at 41 cm in length. Its back and wings are rufous, the latter heavily speckled with white spots. The rest of the upperparts and underparts are blue-grey, and the head is grey with red patches around the eye. The neck is brownish, streaked with white, and the legs are red. Sexes are similar, but immatures are browner than adults and lack the red eye patches. The call is a loud doo-doo-doo.
Size
35 cm
Feeding Habits
Speckled Pigeon primarily consumes seeds, foraging on the ground in open fields and feeding on various grains like maize, wheat, and sorghum, particularly after harvest. Speckled Pigeon also targets seeds of grasses such as Panicum and Hordeum, and enjoys wild buckwheat. Occasionally, speckled Pigeon consumes snails, demonstrating dietary variety.
Habitat
The speckled Pigeon predominantly occupies open habitats such as savanna and open woodland, as well as man-made gardens. This species is adaptable and is increasingly found in urban areas, where it nests and roosts in buildings at high densities. It has a preference for areas with rocky terrain, cliffs, and gorges, but also ventures into croplands and grasslands for feeding. While Western populations often reside near baobabs and Borassus palms, Eastern and Southern populations are more aligned with rocky outcrops. Their adaptability also extends to grassy and wooded regions.
Dite type
Granivorous
People often ask
General Info
Behavior
The speckled pigeon is frequently seen around human habitation and cultivation. Most of its food is vegetable, and it gathers in large numbers where grain or groundnuts are available. This species builds a large stick nest on protected rocky outcrops and in urban areas often atop covered pergola pillars and on flat roofs under deep eaves and lays two white eggs. Its flight is quick, with regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings that are characteristic of pigeons in general.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Lip Kee Yap , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Pigeons and doves Family
Dove Genus
Old World Pigeons Species
Speckled Pigeon