Black-billed Wood Dove

Overview

The black-billed wood dove (Turtur abyssinicus) is a small, plump pigeon found across a belt in Africa just south of the Sahara. It is a widespread resident breeding bird that is abundant in near-desert, scrub, and savannah environments.

Identification

• Typically 20 cm in length with a pale grey-brown back, hindneck, wings, and tail, featuring two blackish bands on the back and dark metallic patches on the folded wings.
• A distinct black bill, with a bluish-grey forehead, crown, and nape that fades to whitish on the face, and pinkish underparts that become whiter on the belly.
• When flying, the dove reveals chestnut coloration in the underwings.
• The call is a persistent fluted 'coo-coo-cu-coo'.

Habitat

This species occupies a belt across Africa immediately south of the Sahara Desert. It thrives in near-desert, scrub, and savannah habitats, where it builds stick nests in trees, often acacias.

Diet

Black-billed wood doves feed on grass and other small seeds. They are quite terrestrial and usually forage on the ground.

Did you know?

Although classified as Least Concern, the population of the black-billed wood dove has decreased significantly since 2004. While generally not gregarious, these doves form large flocks at waterholes.