Western bronze-naped pigeon

The western bronze-naped pigeon (Columba iriditorques) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae, part of the subgenus Turturoena. A medium sized bird, it has a pale, broad terminal tail band which is noticeable on landing. It is found in most countries of Africa. The IUCN Red List classifies it as a species of least concern.

Western bronze-naped pigeon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columba
Species:
C. iriditorques
Binomial name
Columba iriditorques
Cassin, 1856

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1856 by the American ornithologist John Cassin. It is occasionally considered conspecific (belonging to the same species) with the eastern bronze-naped pigeon (Columba delegorguei) and the island bronze-naped pigeon (Columba malherbii), and the three species are sometimes placed in the subgenus Turturoena.[2]

Description

A medium sized bird, the western bronze-naped pigeon measures about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) in length.[2] It has a pale, broad terminal tail band which is noticeable on landing.[3] The adult male weighs about 130 grams (4.6 oz),[2] and has dark bluish grey head, and dark vinous belly and breast.[3] The adult female weighs about 122 grams (4.3 oz),[2] and has cinnamon-reddish brown crown, and greyish chestnut underparts.[3]

Distribution and habitat

It is widespread across the African tropical rainforest.

Status and conservation

Since 1988, the western bronze-naped pigeon has been rated as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List. This is because it has a large range, and because its population is stable and thought not to have declined by 30% over ten years or three generations. Although the population size has not been measured, it is thought to be more than the threshold required to warrant it a vulnerable rating. There is no evidence of any population decline of the species, or substantial threat to it.[1]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Columba iriditorques". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22690346A93270567. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22690346A93270567.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. Baptista, L.F.; Trail, P.W.; Horblit, H.M.; Boesman, P. (2016). del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David A; de Juana, Eduardo (eds.). "Western Bronze-naped Pigeon (Columba iriditorques)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Archived from the original on 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  3. Stevenson, Terry; Fanshawe, John (2004). Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. A&C Black. p. 166. ISBN 9780713673470.
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