Chalcophaps

Green Winged Dove ( Chalcophaps indica)

Green wing doves ( Chalcophaps ) are a genus of pigeons birds. They are closely related to the bronze wing pigeons and the genus Henicophaps. The genus includes two species. Their range extends from India to the south-east of Australia.

Appearance

Green wing doves have a compact body. The green wing dove reaches a body length of up to 26 centimeters and weighs between 80 and 100 grams. The brown - green back wing dove is with a body length of up to 24 centimeters a bit smaller and lighter.

Striking and eponymous feature is the color of the wings in this genus. The Green Winged Dove has emerald green wings that shimmer copper or bronze in many individuals. When Brown back green wing dove the elytra are emerald - green to bronze. Sexual dimorphism is present in both species. The male of the Green Winged Dove has at the shoulder and the forehead on white color areas. In females, this is not as pronounced and may even largely absent in some individuals. When Brown back green wing pigeon, the male on a white forehead, which is clearly separated from the upper red-brown head and neck. The female, however, has a gray face and is also a brownish head and neck.

Distribution area

Green wing doves are a species of bird in Australasia. The significant larger area of ​​distribution of the two species, the green wing dove, which is found in several subspecies in large parts of Southeast Asia and Australia. The northernmost distribution area has the nominate Chalcophas indica indica, which is common to Kashmir. Other subspecies are found on different islands of Australasia. So Chalcophas indica natalis occurs on Christmas Island, Chalcophaps indica sandwichensis settled among others, the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. The range of the brown - green back wing dove is compared so very small. It occurs only on Sulawesi and New Guinea.

Habitat and behavior

Both species are waldbewohnende pigeons. The Green Winged Dove inhabits forests in lowland and hill country. The brown - green back wing dove is found in the rainforests of Sulawesi and the lowland forests of New Guinea. Both types look for food on the ground. Seeds make up the greatest proportion of the food spectrum. In addition, berries, small fruit and termites are eaten.

The nests are built in trees and shrubs. The green wing dove requires its relatively much nesting material. The clutch consists of two eggs.

Attitude in captivity

Only the Green Winged Dove has a meaning as an ornamental bird. It has already been held for the first time in England in 1794. The bronze back green wing pigeon was maintained until 1921 from the zoo in London, but it never came at her offspring. A few imports of this type were made in the 1980s. A Belgian breeder succeeded in the 1990s, to raise a greater number of young birds of this kind.

Green wing doves who require very large aviary with a heated shelter, are now held by various zoos in tropical halls.

Species

The two types are counted as green wing doves:

• Green Winged Dove ( Chalcophas indica)
• Brown back Green Wing Dove ( Chalcophas stephani )

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