Afep Pigeon vs Metallic Pigeon

Columba unicincta compared with Columba vitiensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Afep Pigeon Metallic Pigeon
Scientific Name Columba unicincta Columba vitiensis
Order Columbiformes Columbiformes
Family Columbidae Columbidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 42.2 cm (16.6 in) 43.3 cm (17.0 in)
Weight 401.5 g (14.16 oz) 372.8333333333333 g (13.15 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1-2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Afep Pigeon only

None

Metallic Pigeon only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Afep Pigeon

Song

Deep, resonant cooing; rich notes with carrying quality through dense humid African forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Metallic Pigeon

Song

Soft, gentle cooing call; pure notes with mild quality, historically extinct passenger pigeon species.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Afep Pigeon

Least Concern

Metallic Pigeon

How to Tell Them Apart

Afep Pigeon

Plumage

Afep Pigeon: pale gray; white neck gloss; dark flight feathers; large size; Central African rainforest pigeon; pale overall

Metallic Pigeon

Plumage

Metallic Pigeon: dark glossy brown-black; brilliant metallic iridescent neck gloss; pale gray below; Pacific island species

About These Birds

Afep Pigeon

Afep Pigeon (Columba unicincta) — 36–40 cm. Large; dark grey; single narrow black ring on hindneck; pale grey rump. Inhabits canopy of rainforest in West and Central Africa. Frugivore; feeds on forest fruits. Poorly known; an upper-canopy species seldom studied at close range.

Metallic Pigeon

Metallic Pigeon (Columba vitiensis) — 38–40 cm. Predominantly white head and underparts contrasting with dark metallic green back and wings; red bill and feet. Inhabits forest and forest edge across the Pacific from the Philippines and Moluccas through Melanesia to Fiji and Samoa. Frugivore.

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