Tambourine Dove
Turtur tympanistria
Forest fringes. Above dark brown; eyebrow, forehead and underparts white.
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Fairly common resident. White underparts unique and conspicuous. Call ‘coo, coo, cu-cu-du-du-du-du’, very similar to that of [Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove], but speeds up and ends abruptly instead of tailing off. Occurs singly or in pairs in coastal bush and montane and riverine forest. Shy and elusive. Perches in a low position or feeds on the ground. Makes off at great speed when disturbed.
Quick Facts
Size
23 cm - M
Names
A: Witborsduifie
Z: isiKhombazane-sehlathi
Ss: Mokodunyane Wa Sefubasweu
G: Tamburintaube
Bird Family
A well-known group of mostly seed-eating, terrestrial (except for the arboreal fruit-feeding pigeons) birds that build flimsy stick platform nests in trees. The distinction between pigeons and doves is ill-defined: larger species tend to be called pigeons, smaller ones doves. Immatures are dull versions of the adults. Many species become very common and tame near human habitation.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly or in pairs in coastal bush and montane and riverine 'forest'.
