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African Green-Pigeon
Treron calvusA stunning, fruit-eating pigeon with vibrant green plumage and yellow wing patches – a jewel of Africa's woodlands.
The African Green-Pigeon (Treron calvus) is a stunning, brightly coloured bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. A member of the pigeon family Columbidae, it is named for its vibrant green plumage, which provides excellent camouflage among the leaves of the trees it inhabits. This medium-sized pigeon is a common resident of woodland, savanna, and forest edge habitats across the continent.
African Green-Pigeon Quick Facts
What Is the African Green-Pigeon?
The African Green-Pigeon (Treron calvus) is a stunning, brightly coloured bird belonging to the family Columbidae, which includes pigeons and doves. It was first described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The species name calvus is from the Latin for "bald", referring to the bare skin around the eye in some populations.
This species is also known simply as the Green Pigeon. It is a common resident across much of sub-Saharan Africa, found in woodland, savanna, and forest edge habitats. It is a frugivorous bird, feeding mainly on a variety of fruits, particularly figs, and is known for its ability to swallow large fruits whole.
The African Green-Pigeon is a member of the genus Treron, which includes many species of green pigeons found across Africa and Asia. The genus is characterised by its predominantly green plumage and specialised fruit-eating diet.
How to Identify an African Green-Pigeon
The African Green-Pigeon is a distinctive and beautiful bird, easily recognised by its vibrant green plumage and yellow wing patches. Here are its key identifying features:
- Size: A medium-sized pigeon, measuring 25-30 cm (10-12 in) in length and weighing 130-280 g (4.6-9.9 oz).
- Plumage: Vibrant green on the head, neck, back, and underparts. The green colouration is due to a combination of pigment and structural colouration.
- Wings: The wings have distinctive bright yellow patches on the coverts, which are particularly visible in flight.
- Tail: Long and pointed, with yellow tips on the outer tail feathers.
- Head: The head is green with a pale yellowish eye-ring. Some populations have bare skin around the eye.
- Bill: Yellowish-green.
- Legs: Red.
- Female: Similar to male but slightly less brightly coloured, with less yellow on the wings.
- Juvenile: Duller and greener overall, with less distinct yellow wing patches.
Distinguishing from Similar Species
The African Green-Pigeon can be distinguished from the similar Red-eyed Dove by its green plumage and yellow wing patches. The Tambourine Dove is much smaller and has a different colouration. The Blue-spotted Wood-Dove has distinctive blue wing spots rather than yellow patches.
Behavior & Social Life
The African Green-Pigeon is a social bird, often found in small flocks, especially when feeding in fruiting trees.
Foraging Behavior
- Frugivorous diet: The African Green-Pigeon feeds mainly on a variety of fruits, with a particular preference for figs. It can swallow large fruits whole, thanks to its specialised digestive system.
- Foraging technique: It forages in the canopy of trees, clambering among the branches to reach fruits.
- Social feeding: Often seen in small flocks feeding on fruiting trees, sometimes with other fruit-eating birds.
Vocalization
- Call: The African Green-Pigeon has a series of distinctive, fluty whistles, often described as a soft, melodious "coo-coo-coo" or "whoo-whoo-whoo".
- Song: The song is a gentle, repeated series of notes that carries through the woodland.
Habitat & Distribution
The African Green-Pigeon is found in a variety of woodland and forest habitats across sub-Saharan Africa.
Key habitat types include:
- Woodland – particularly miombo and acacia woodlands.
- Savanna – with scattered trees.
- Forest edge – and riverine forest.
- Scrubland – and thickets.
Distribution: The African Green-Pigeon has an extremely large range, with an Extent of Occurrence of approximately 15,300,000 km². It is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegambia in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and southwards to South Africa.
Tanzania Distribution
In Tanzania, the African Green-Pigeon is found in woodland, savanna, and forest edge habitats across the country. It has been recorded in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park.
African Green-Pigeon in Tanzania
The African Green-Pigeon is a stunning and colourful bird of Tanzania's woodlands and savannas. Here are the best locations to see it:
Serengeti National Park
Found in the Serengeti's woodland and savanna areas, particularly in areas with fruiting trees. Often seen in small flocks feeding in the canopy.
Serengeti safariNgorongoro Crater
Recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, especially in the Lerai Forest and other woodland areas. Often seen feeding on figs and other fruits.
Ngorongoro safariTarangire National Park
Found in the acacia woodlands and riverine forest areas of Tarangire. Often seen in pairs or small flocks feeding on fruiting trees.
Tarangire safariRuaha National Park
A resident species in Ruaha's miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats. Often found in areas with abundant fruiting trees.
Ruaha safariSafari Methods
- Game drives in woodland, savanna, and forest edge areas.
- Birdwatching – look for the vibrant green pigeon with yellow wing patches, often seen in the canopy of fruiting trees.
- Wildlife photography – the African Green-Pigeon's stunning colours make it a spectacular photographic subject.
- Look for fruiting trees – African Green-Pigeons are often found feeding in trees with ripe fruit, particularly fig trees.
- Listen for calls – the soft, fluty whistles are often the first indication of their presence.
Best Time to See Them
African Green-Pigeons are resident year-round in suitable habitat. They are most active during the early morning and late afternoon when feeding. The dry season (June to October) is generally best for wildlife viewing.
Diet & Feeding
The African Green-Pigeon is a frugivore, with a diet consisting mainly of fruits and seeds.
Food Sources
- Fruits: A wide variety of fruits, with a particular preference for figs. Other fruits include berries, guavas, and wild fruits.
- Seeds: It may also take seeds, particularly from fruits it has eaten.
- Leaves: Occasionally takes leaves, especially when fruit is scarce.
Feeding Behavior
The African Green-Pigeon feeds in the canopy of trees, clambering among the branches to reach fruits. It can swallow large fruits whole and has a specialised digestive system adapted for processing fruit. It often feeds in small flocks, especially in trees with abundant fruit.
Breeding & Life Cycle
The African Green-Pigeon is monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds.
Nesting
- Breeding season: Typically during the rainy season, from November to May in East Africa.
- Nest site: A flimsy platform nest of twigs built in a tree or bush, usually 2-10 metres above the ground.
- Nest construction: Both sexes build the nest, which is a loose platform of twigs.
- Clutch: 1 to 2 creamy white eggs.
- Incubation: 13 to 15 days, shared by both parents.
Chicks
Chicks are altricial (born helpless with down feathers). Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating fruit and crop milk. Young fledge at 14 to 16 days old.
Conservation Status
The African Green-Pigeon is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Population: The global population has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable. The population trend is stable.
Justification: This species has an extremely large range (15,300,000 km²) and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion.
Threats: While the species is not currently threatened globally, local threats may include habitat loss through deforestation and agricultural expansion.
Comparisons
The African Green-Pigeon is sometimes confused with other pigeons. Here are the key differences:
| Feature | African Green-Pigeon | Red-eyed Dove | Tambourine Dove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 25-30 cm | 25-30 cm | 18-20 cm |
| Plumage | Vibrant green with yellow wing patches | Brownish-grey with red eye | Pinkish with coppery wings |
| Wing Markings | Bright yellow patches | None | Coppery spots |
| Tail | Long and pointed | Medium, rounded | Short |
| Diet | Fruit specialist | Seeds and grains | Seeds and berries |
| Range | Sub-Saharan Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Did You Know?
Vibrant Green Camouflage
The African Green-Pigeon's vibrant green plumage provides excellent camouflage among the leaves of the trees it inhabits.
Fruit Specialist
It is a frugivorous bird, feeding mainly on a variety of fruits, particularly figs. It can swallow large fruits whole.
Yellow Wing Patches
The bright yellow patches on the wings are particularly visible in flight and help distinguish it from similar species.
Social Feeder
It is often seen in small flocks feeding on fruiting trees, sometimes with other fruit-eating birds.
Widespread Resident
With a range of over 15 million square kilometres, the African Green-Pigeon is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa.
Specialised Digestive System
The African Green-Pigeon has a specialised digestive system adapted for processing fruit, allowing it to thrive on a frugivorous diet.
There is a moment of pure magic when an African Green-Pigeon takes flight. Its vibrant green plumage flashes in the sunlight, and the yellow patches on its wings catch the eye like golden jewels. It is a bird that seems to belong to a different world – a world of colour and light, of ripe fruit and dappled shade. And when it settles back into the canopy, it disappears, melting into the leaves as if it were part of the tree itself. The African Green-Pigeon is a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful creatures are the ones that know how to blend in, to become one with their surroundings.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
The African Green-Pigeon (Treron calvus) is a stunning, brightly coloured bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a member of the pigeon family Columbidae and is named for its vibrant green plumage, which provides excellent camouflage among the leaves of the trees it inhabits.
African Green-Pigeons are found in woodland, savanna, and forest edge habitats across Tanzania. Key locations include Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park.
The African Green-Pigeon is a frugivore, feeding mainly on a variety of fruits, particularly figs. It also takes seeds and occasionally leaves. It has a specialised digestive system adapted for processing fruit.
No. The African Green-Pigeon is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It has an extremely large range and a stable population.
It is a medium-sized pigeon with vibrant green plumage on the head, neck, back, and underparts. The wings have distinctive yellow patches, and the tail is long and pointed. The bill is yellowish-green, and the legs are red.
The African Green-Pigeon is a medium-sized pigeon, measuring 25-30 cm (10-12 in) in length. It weighs between 130-280 grams (4.6-9.9 oz).
The African Green-Pigeon is monogamous. It builds a flimsy platform nest of twigs in a tree or bush. The female lays 1-2 creamy white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 13-15 days. Chicks fledge after 14-16 days.
In Swahili, the African Green-Pigeon is known as Njiwa-kijani or Kikuyu.
References & Further Reading
- BirdLife International – African Green-Pigeon: IUCN Red List assessment, Least Concern status, range 15,300,000 km².
- Wikipedia – African green pigeon: Description, distribution, habitat, diet, breeding, conservation.
- eBird – African Green-Pigeon: Identification, distribution, sightings.
- Avibase – African Green-Pigeon: Taxonomy, subspecies, distribution.
- Birds of the World – African Green-Pigeon: Introduction, identification, habitat, behavior, breeding.
- Oiseaux.net – African Green-Pigeon: Photo records from Tanzania.
- South African National Biodiversity Institute – African Green-Pigeon: Conservation status, threats, research.
