Vinaceous Dove

Overview

The vinaceous dove (Streptopelia vinacea) is a small, stocky pigeon that is widely resident across northern Sub-Saharan Africa. Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, this common bird is monotypic with no recognized subspecies.

Identification

• A small, stocky bird measuring 26 to 30 cm in length with a pale brown back, wings, and tail.
• The head and underparts are pale pinkish-grey, featuring a distinctive black hind-neck patch edged with white.
• Red legs and a blackish underwing visible in flight, where the bird displays quick, regular wingbeats with occasional sharp flicks.
• The call consists of a fast 'coo-cu-cu-coo' sequence.

Habitat

Found in central and western African countries such as Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Nigeria, the species is abundant in scrub and savannah environments.

Diet

Vinaceous doves are quite terrestrial and usually forage on the ground, feeding on seeds, fruits, and occasionally small insects. They are very gregarious and often feed in large groups, frequently alongside other doves.

Did you know?

Despite its scientific name Streptopelia deriving from a Greek word meaning 'twisted' or 'wearing a torc', the bird is surprisingly social and often seen in large groups, a trait that distinguishes it from several other species in its genus.