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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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