Blue-headed Wood Dove Turtur brehmeri
Description
The blue-headed wood dove is also known as the blue-headed dove or Madeira dove. It is a medium-sized bird (up to about 10 inches long and weighs about 2.3 oz). They are widespread across the African tropical rain forest, primarily south of the Sahara Desert. They are not migratory. The adult body feathers are rufous brown with a bluish-grey head, iridescent green patches on the wings, a reddish bill, a dark brown iris and dark red feet. Both male and female birds look similar, while the young are duller in color, with a scaly lower body and lack wing spots. As they are widespread and locally common throughout their large range, they are evaluated as decreasing but of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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Range
The blue-headed wood dove ranges from southern Cameroons east through northern Congo to the Rift Valley in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and south to extreme northwestern Angola.
Habitat
They are found in rain forests, near deserts, scrub and savannas and occasionally secondary growth. They typically avoid open areas.
Gestation
Eggs are incubated for 11 to 19 days.
Litter
On average they lay 1 or 2 cream-colored eggs.
Behavior
Pairs are monogamous and establish strong bonds that last a lifetime. They build nests of twigs, leaves and other plant matter in trees (often acacias) or bushes. Mostly foraging on the ground.
Reproduction
The male and the female raise the young jointly until the chicks become independent.
Diet (Wild)
They feed mostly on seeds (particularly grass seed), fallen fruits, insects, and small animals.
Conservation Status
Least Concern