Turtur
Stahlflecktäubchen ( Turtur afer)
African bush doves ( Turtur ) are a genus of pigeons birds. The genus includes five species, all of which have in Africa a relatively large area of distribution.
Appearance
African bush birds are small birds that are in size between the Diamanttäubchen and the turtle dove. The smallest species is the Bronzeflecktäubchen that reaches a height of only 20 centimeters. The largest species is the Maidtaube with a body length of 25 centimeters. The body shape is stocky.
The characteristic features of the African bush pigeons include the iridescent patches on the shoulders ( on the big wing covers ). The color of these spots varies depending on the type between green, blue or dark gray to black.
Distribution and habitat
African bush pigeons colonize sub-Saharan Africa and missing only in the south-west of the African continent. The northern limit of distribution extends approximately from Senegal to the Blue Nile and Ethiopia. They are predominantly bush dwellers. They also occur in wooded areas when they have plenty of undergrowth.
Behavior
African bush pigeons find their food almost exclusively on the ground. However, you trees on for sleeping, resting and nesting. The clutch consists of two eggs. Incubation period is 13-15 days. The nestling period is 13-17 days.
Attitude in captivity
Some species of the African bush pigeons were imported as ornamental birds already in the second half of the 19th century. They are still some very coveted aviary birds. You need aviaries with high solar radiation. With little sunlight attitude they tend to melanistic retention in the plumage.
Species
The African bush pigeons include six types:
- Bronzeflecktäubchen ( Turtur chalcospilos )
- Erzflecktäubchen ( Turtur abyssinicus )
- Stahlflecktäubchen ( Turtur afer)
- Tamburintäubchen ( Turtur tympanistria )
- Maidtaube ( Turtur brehmeri )
- Kaptäubchen ( Oena capensis )