Mystery bird: Namaqua dove, Oena capensis

Adult Male Namaqua Dove, Oena capensis, also known as the masked or cape dove, photographed at Pangani River Camp, Tanzania, Africa., Tanzania, Africa.

Image: Dan Logen, 23 January 2010 [velociraptorize].

Question: This striking African mystery bird is a member of a group of birds that are found in nearly all terrestrial habitats throughout the world. Can you name this species?

Response: This is a Namaqua dove, tentatively classified as Oena capensis, also known as the masked or Cape dove. This is a tiny sparrow-sized pigeon, weighing just 40g. As you can see, it has a very long black tapered tail, and its size and shape have led many to compare it with the Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus, which occupies a similar niche and has similar habits and food preferences.

The Namaqua dove's plumage is mostly grey. It has a white belly, chestnut primary feathers (which are visible in flight), and the adult male has a black face, throat and breast, with a yellow and red beak. The adult female lacks the black markings but she does have a red-based grey bill. Young birds resemble adult females except they have dark blotches on their wings and shoulders.

This species is resident throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It forages almost exclusively on minute seeds, mostly from grasses, sedges and weeds.

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