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Description:
This
dove appears to be a little larger
than a common ringneck or Barbary
dove.But it is not. The male of this
specie has upperparts that are burnt
sienna with deep rich irdescence bronzish-green
and amethyst coloration. The nape,
crown and the upper back of the neck
are reddish-purple. The mantle, back,
rump and wing coverts are also this
reddish-purple or purplish-red color.
The inner secondaries, primary tips
are burnt umber. The throat is a pale
nearly white in color. A unique and
conspicuous broad stripe extends from
the lower mandible under and beyond
the eye. This stripe is white. The
burnt umber area separates the lower
edge of this white facial stripe from
the pale nearly white throat. The
sides of the neck, and breast are
a lavender pink or pinish-gray with
shading to near white on the belly.
The underparts of the tail are grayish-buff
with tips that are nearly white. The
bill is raw umber and reddish brown
at the base. The eyes are orange,
yellow or red. The orbital skin is
a pale red. In mature birds the feet
and legs are light red, in young birds
they are pink.
The
female of this specie is slightly
duller than her counterpart. She has
more of an olive-brown cast. Both
sexes look much alike to the untrained
eye.
Immature
birds have little if any iridescence.
They also are browner than the adults
are.
Thanks
to Tony Brancato for his help with
this page.
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