Adamawa Turtle Dove

Adamawa Turtle Dove
Streptopelia hypopyrrha

AKA: Pink-bellied Turtle Dove

Two male doves were imported into the Netherlands from Senegal in 1997, Wim has owned then since they arrived; no females have been available; he has paired the two males with female Dusky Turtle Doves (Streptopelia lugens); two young have hatched 4-2007.With these pairing it is hoped to learn more about the relationship of these two species. Wim Moed 4-2007

Distribution: Found in small groups in the wooded ravines, gullies of upland plateaus, edges of forests. It is common in the more open cultivated areas; also found in parks & gardens in urban areas. Common in north central Nigeria, eastern Nigeria, northern Cameroon eastwards to south west Chad. Recently found in the Togo highlands along the river Ove near Tasso; also reported from Senegal & The Gambia.

Races: no recognized races - it is monotypic

Description: Length 30cm. Adult male: Forehead pale grey shading to a darker bluish grey on crown & nape. The display neck feathers on the sides & hindneck entirely black, shading to a rufous brown on the bird's mantle & upper back where the feathers are slightly edged with rufous. Mantle, back, rump, upper tail coverts, wing shields dark ashy brown thickly edged from pale buff to deep rufous. chest area bluish grey, lower chest & belly deep salmon pink color. Undertail coverts bluish grey. Irides red or orange with dark outer ring; orbital skin or eye cere dark red. Bill blackish, legs & feet purplish red. Adult female: paler version of male. Juvenile: paler with slight pinkish belly coloration or can be without pinkish belly coloration.

Nesting: lays two white eggs; incubation 14-15 days.

Display: it is said the two birds confront each other after the female struts in front of the male (ignoring the male at first), they then meet & stand almost vertical to each other; billing occurs, then female crouches prior to breeding; allopreening is then done for extended periods of time.

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