| Red-eyed dove | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Red-eyed dove in Zimbabwe, and a recording of the bird from South Africa | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Streptopelia |
| Species: | S. semitorquata |
| Binomial name | |
| Streptopelia semitorquata (Rüppell, 1837) | |
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Red-eyed dove" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Thered-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) is adove that is widespread and common inSub-Saharan Africa. It has been listed asLeast Concern on theIUCN Red List since 2004.[1]
The red-eyed dove wasformally described by the German naturalistEduard Rüppell in 1835 from birds seen in the Taranta Mountains of Eritrea. He coined thebinomial nameColumba semitorquata.[2][3] Thespecific epithet is combines the Latinsemi- meaning "half-" or "small" andtorquatus meaning "collared".[4] The species ismonotypic: nosubspecies are recognised.[5]
_(32346608062)%2c_crop.jpg)
The red-eyed dove's pale bluish gray forehead merges into a darker hue on the crown. The neck, breast, and underparts, are dark mauve-pink to wine-red, upperparts are grayish brown, and primaries are black. Outer wing-coverts are dark slaty blue. Flanks, sides of rump, and underwing-coverts are bluish gray. Rectrices are dark gray basally, light brownish gray on the terminal half. Neck has a black half-collar. Iris varies from yellowish to orange to red or orange-brown. Orbital skin is purplish red. Bill is black. Legs are purplish red. Most of the feathers have reddish buff or reddish brown edges and indistinct dark subterminal bars. Neck collar is indistinct and restricted to the sides of neck. Legs, orbital skin, and iris are dull. Sexes are alike. Juveniles are duller and browner.It is typically 30 cm (12 in) in length and 162–310 g (5.7–10.9 oz). It is the largest of the “ringneck” species of dove. The red-eyed dove in theEthiopian Highlands are larger than those inWest Africa and coastalKenya.[6]
| This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
It is distributed through most of sub-Saharan Africa, except in desert zones. It is a common, if not abundant, species in most habitats other than deserts. Like several other species in this genus, they are not particularly gregarious and often feed alone or in pairs. They can be found in forests near rivers.
| This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
This species builds a stick nest in a tree and lays two whiteeggs. Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings, which are characteristic of pigeons in general.
