THIS is our largest indigenous pigeon species and easily distinguished from the similar Speckled Pigeon by its distinctive bright yellow beak and yellow ring around the eye.
In addition to its distinctive yellow beak and eye ring, the African olive pigeon has bright yellow legs and its feathers are mainly purple-brown with speckled markings that have an iridescent appearance. It is about 40cm long and males can weigh up to 460 grams while the females are slightly smaller at an average of 415 grams.
It is found in the eastern part of Africa, from Ethiopia through to southern Africa. In South Africa it is common on the eastern parts, but can also be occasionally spotted over most of the country, with the exception of the drier, western part of the country.
The African olive pigeon is a forest species, so look out for it in montane, evergreen and riverine forests, well treed gardens and parks and anywhere where there is an abundance of fruit bearing trees. One of its favourites is the aptly named Pigeon-wood Tree (Trema orinetalis).
ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – The Spotted Ground Thrush
It feeds almost exclusively in the tree canopy and is very seldom seen of the ground. It feeds on a very wide range of indigenous fruits, berries and, occasionally, seeds. It will go down to ground to drink where they drink warily and very rapidly before dashing off in a noisy flurry of wingbeats.
Pairs mate for life and the male does the twig collection while the female builds the nest. The nest is most often built high up in the tree canopy, usually in a forked branch.
It is usual for only one egg to be laid and it is then incubated by both adults. They will breed from summer through to autumn and will have several broods each season. It is preyed upon by goshawks, peregrine falcons and black sparrowhawks, all forest hunters.
Although they are relatively large and have a distinctive yellow beak, they are not that easy to spot as they are most often high in a tree canopy. Look for them along our many well wooded streams and forests such as Giba Gorge, Everton Gorge and the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
