Scientific Name : Columba punicea
Family : Columbidae
Order : Columbiformes
Class : Aves
Phylum : Chordata
Other Name : Purple Wood Pigeon
Habitat : Evergreen forest
Description : The Pale-capped Pigeon is a large brown pigeon with a pale cap to its head (adult bird length approximately 36 cm, weight 440 g, wing 22 cm, bill 1.6 cm, tarsus 2.4 cm, tail 16.5 cm). Its male is a little different from its female. The male has a greyish-white crown and nape, maroon-brown mantle and wing-coverts, dark slaty rump and blackish-brown tail. It feeds on figs, berries, seeds of bamboo, paddy and other grains. Its flight is slow but powerful. The pigeons are primarily found in the forests of the plains, inhabiting a diverse range of habitats, including primary or secondary evergreen forests, open deciduous dipterocarp forests, bamboo groves, and agricultural fields near forested areas. Coastal habitats such as mangroves and small forested islands are likely visited during the non-breeding season. Their diet is mainly frugivorous, although seeds and grains are also important components in certain regions. These pigeons typically fly in small groups and primarily forage during the morning and evening hours. Their call is described as low, shorter, and less prolonged compared to the other species. Breeding season occurs from May to August, during which the pigeons construct flimsy platform nests placed low in trees. A single egg is usually laid, although occasionally two eggs may be found.
Distribution in Bangladesh
References:
description written by:Fatema-Tuz-Zohora,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka;information source: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol-26, iucnredlist.org;taxonomic checklist:P. M. Thompson and S. U. Chowdhury (2020). A checklist of birds of Bangladesh.Birds Bangladesh;photo credit: porag(www.inaturalist.org/people/porag),photo shared from iNaturalist, photo copyright reserved according to iNaturalist rules;Simon Elliottmore information, please contact us.