Afep Pigeon vs Blue-headed Quail-Dove

Columba unicincta compared with Starnoenas cyanocephala

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Afep Pigeon Blue-headed Quail-Dove
Scientific Name Columba unicincta Starnoenas cyanocephala
Order Columbiformes Columbiformes
Family Columbidae Columbidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length
Wingspan 42.2 cm (16.6 in) 28.1 cm (11.1 in)
Weight 401.5 g (14.16 oz) 244.5 g (8.62 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1-2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Afep Pigeon only

None

Blue-headed Quail-Dove only

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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.

Blue-headed Quail-Dove

Song

Soft, gentle cooing with blue-headed richness; warm resonant notes echoing along Caribbean island forest floor.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Afep Pigeon

Endangered

Blue-headed Quail-Dove

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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

Blue-headed Quail-Dove

Plumage

Yungas Dove: brown above; pale gray-white below; long graduated tail; bare facial skin; Andean Yungas forest dove species

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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.

Blue-headed Quail-Dove

Striking ground dove, 29–33 cm, with a brilliant turquoise-blue crown, black and white facial stripe, red bill, and rich rufous-brown body. Endemic to Cuba's lowland forest and scrub. Terrestrial forager of seeds and small fruits. Endangered due to hunting and deforestation; population fewer than 1,000.

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