DOVES
Doves
are small birds of the pigeon family, with a cooing call. They are classified
under the family Columbidae. Zambia has about nine species of doves, which are
widely distributed throughout the country. A brief description of each species
shall be given so as to help the Zambian citizenry and tourists are able to
identify these birds and distinguish among the various species of doves.
For
a more enjoyable bird watching a visit to any indigenous forest will be a major
gain for birders. This will even be more memorable when one visits the National
Park, game ranch, Bird and Wildlife Sanctuaries etc. In addition this will
provide a peace of mind. Get ready to be entertained by nature’s wonderful
entertainment .Make one of the weekends out of the theater and let nature be
your theater watch realities of nature in Zambia the home of wildlife.
For
those at the Copperbelt province of Zambia or any one visiting the mining town
of Kitwe CHEMBE BIRD SANCTUARY is a
place for you, the name itself defines it all. Chembe Bird Sanctuary is located
in kalulushi. “Situated 27km from Kitwe this protected area of woodland,
grassland and wetland around a small dambo offers a great retreat within a
secluded area. Also on offer are a campsite with basic facilities and a
picnic/braai (BBQ) area with attendant. Boats can also be hired for either
fishing or birding, and off the water you are welcome to take bird walks
through a variety of habitats.” Chembe Bird Sanctuary covers about 450
hectares, situated around a small lake, famous for its varied birdlife. It is
about one hour out of Kitwe on the right side of the Kalulushi-Kasempa road and
is well signposted.
In
this article I have only provided two pictures of these species of doves. The species
will be game exercise when you visit any of the woodlands you can test your
skill for bird identification.
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur chalcospilos)
Emerald-spotted
Wood Dove is a small enviable pigeon. Its back, hind neck, wings and tail are
pale grey brown, and the folded wings have green metallic patches. They have
blackish bands on the lower back and tail. Its forehead, crown and nape are
bluish grey, fading to pinkish grey on the throat. The under parts are
mauve-pink, becoming whiter on the belly.
The
bill (beak) of this dove is blackish with a red base. The sexes are similar,
but the female may be slightly duller than the male. The immature has duller
green spots and buff fringes to the feathers.
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)
Namaqua
Dove is a tiny sparrow-sized pigeon. This Dove is quite terrestrial, and
usually forages on open ground and roadsides. 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 black face, throat and
breast, and a yellow and red beak. 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.
Dusky Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia lugens)
This
dove has its head entirely dark ash grey. Display feathers on side of neck and
hind neck are black, grading to dark ashy brown on the upper mantle having
narrow pale grey edging. The upper breast is dark grey shading to ashy pink on
lower breast. The belly and the under tail of the Dusky turtle- Dove coverts
grey it’s under wing coloration is grey. The birds Iris coloration is orange
brown or red brown. The bird’s inner wig coverts dark ashy brown having broad
chestnut edgings. Flight feathers blackish grey having narrow pale grey edges.
The lower back and rump is greyish brown with the upper tail coverts and
central tail feathers dark brown. Eye Cere or Orbital skin is reddish purple,
bill blackish. The legs and feet are purplish red.
Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)
This is a small distinctively plumaged dove of
the open country. Laughing doves a black neck collar, it is smaller than the
European turtle dove. In flight cinnamon – coloured back contrasts with
blue-grey forewings. They have out tail tips coloured white. They are widely
found, including urban areas but avoid forests, found near water only in very
arid areas. This bird is abundant.
Mourning Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decipiens)
This
is a plain grey head and broad red eye- ring are diagnostic, this dove large
than all other collard doves. When in flight this bird has white in
outer-tails. They are mostly found in woodland, riverine forests, thickets and
gardens in semi-arid savanna.
Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)
The
red-eyed dove is large and darker than other collared doves, with a pale face
and pinkish head and breast. In flight, has diagnostic broad buffy band at tip
of tail, it has a complete black neck color. It has dull red eye-ring which is
less prominent than in the Mourning dove bird. This species are commonly found
in woodlands, forest and gardens and it is commonly found.
Check
out for these birds in the nearby bird sanctuaries, woodlands, national parks
and wildlife sanctuaries use the description given to help you identify the
other dove above.
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