Black cuckoo-dove

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Black cuckoo-dove
Turacoena modesta 332868415.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Turacoena
Species:
T. modesta
Binomial name
Turacoena modesta
(Temminck, 1835)
Slatycuckoodoverange.png
Synonyms [2]
  • Columba modesta
  • Macropygia modesta
  • Turtur modestus
  • Haploenas modesta

The black cuckoo-dove or black dove (Turacoena modesta), also known as the slaty cuckoo dove, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands, being found on Timor, Wetar, Rote, and Atauro. It inhabits primary and secondary monsoon forest, eucalyptus forest, and woodlands. It is 38.5 cm (15.2 in) long on average and is mainly dark bluish-gray, lighter on the head and underparts and darker on the wings and tail. It has yellow orbital skin.

Contents

The black cuckoo-dove feeds on fruit. It is listed as being near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by habitat destruction and hunting.

Taxonomy and systematics

The black cuckoo-dove was first described as Columba modesta by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Temminck in 1835 based on a specimen from Timor. It was then moved to the genus Macropygia by the English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1844, before finally being moved to Turacoena in 1856. [2] [3] The name of the genus, Turacoena, is after the genus Turacus (now treated as a synonym of Tauraco ) and the Ancient Greek word oinas, meaning pigeon. The specific name modesta is from the Latin word modestus, meaning plain or modest. [4] Black cuckoo-dove is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union. [5] Other common names for the species include black dove, Timor cuckoo-dove, Timor black cuckoo-dove, Timor black pigeon, and slate-colored cuckoo-dove. [6] [7]

The black cuckoo-dove is one of three species in the genus Turacoena and is most closely related to the white-faced cuckoo dove. [8] It does not have any subspecies. [5]

Description

On Wetar Turacoena modesta 332868786.jpg
On Wetar

The black cuckoo-dove is a medium-sized cuckoo-dove with a length of 38.5–42 cm (15.2–16.5 in). Both sexes are similar in appearance. It is mainly dark bluish-gray, with the color being lighter on the head and underparts and almost black on the wings and tail. The feathers on the top of the head, nape, neck, breast and upper back have iridescent green or purple fringes. The orbital skin is yellow, while the iris has a yellow inner ring and a red outer ring. The legs and beak are black. Juveniles are duller, with brownish-grey plumage, and have light fawn-white fringes to feathers. [7] [8]

Spiza americana male 94 231051626 13e01e8125 o cropped flipped.png

Songs and calls

Vocalizations

The advertising call is a long crrruah...crrruah..rrah.rah.ra.ra.ra-ra-ra-r-r-r-r which starts with purrs that are similar to those of the European turtle dove and then becomes a series of stuttering notes before fading. It lasts for 6–8 seconds and consists of 20–25 notes. It is repeated around every half minute. [7] [8]

Distribution and habitat

The black cuckoo-dove is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands and is found on Timor, Wetar, Rote, and Atauro. It inhabits primary and secondary monsoon forest, eucalyptus forest, and woodland at elevations of up to 1,770 m (5,810 ft) and is moderately tolerant of habitat destruction. It is thought to migrate seasonally depending on food availability. [1] [8]

Behaviour and ecology

The black cuckoo-dove is mainly found singly or in pairs in the subcanopy. It is a quiet species and flies swiftly to nearby perches when flushed. [7] It feeds on fruit and forages singly or in pairs in bushes and small trees. [8] Flocks also congregate at fruiting trees. [1] It is parasitized by the quill mite Meitingsunes turacoenas , which is present on its flight feathers. [9]

Status

The species is listed as being near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the IUCN Red List due to population declines and restricted distribution. Its population is estimated to be 1,500–7,000 mature adults and 2,500–9,999 total individuals. Threats to the species include severe deforestation caused by grazing, burning, agriculture, and logging. It is also threatened by intensive hunting in Timor. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbidae</span> Family of birds

Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily feed on plants, and can be taxonomically divided amongst granivores, that feed mostly on the ground on seeds, and frugivores, that feed mostly on fruits, from branches. The family occurs worldwide, often in close proximity with humans, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalayan and Australasian realms.

<i>Turacoena</i> Genus of birds

Turacoena is a small genus of doves in the family Columbidae that are found in Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallace's fruit dove</span> Species of pigeon endemic to Indonesia

Wallace's fruit dove is a species of a bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. The name commemorates the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. It is a rather large, long-tailed fruit dove with a length of 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) and has been described as "one of the most beautiful" fruit doves. The forehead and crown are dull crimson, the lower face and throat are white, and the rest of the head, breast, neck, and upper back are pale bluish-grey. The wings and lower back are green and the belly is orange, separated from the chest by a white band. Both sexes look similar, but females have less extensive red on the head and a greenish tinge to their grey parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose-crowned fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The rose-crowned fruit dove, also known as pink-capped fruit dove or Swainson's fruit dove, is a medium-sized fruit dove that is found in parts of southern Indonesia, northern Australia and eastern Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue pigeon</span> Genus of birds

The blue pigeons are a genus, Alectroenas, of birds in the dove and pigeon family Columbidae. They are native to islands in the western Indian Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black imperial pigeon</span> Species of bird

The black imperial pigeon, also known as the Bismarck imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1878, it is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, where it mainly inhabits rainforest and cloud forest in mountain areas above 500 m (1,600 ft). It is a large, heavily built imperial pigeon, with a length of 38–43 cm (15–17 in) and a weight of 661–665 g (23.3–23.5 oz). Adults are almost entirely black, except for the dark chestnut undertail coverts, the silvery-grey underside of the tail, and a pale grey scaly pattern on the wings and back. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles differ from adults in having paler undertail coverts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palau ground dove</span> Species of bird endemic to the island country Palau

The Palau ground dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Palau, living in forests. The IUCN has assessed it as an endangered species.

The Wetar ground dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae found on Wetar, Indonesia, and on Timor. Its natural habitats are monsoon forests and gallery forests, and possibly woodland and bamboos. Threatened by habitat loss and hunting, the species is assessed as endangered by the IUCN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pale mountain pigeon</span> Species of bird in the Solomon Islands

The pale mountain pigeon is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, where it inhabits old-growth and secondary montane forest. It is a medium-size pigeon with an average length of 38 cm (15 in) and a weight of 310–385 g (10.9–13.6 oz). The head and neck are whitish-grey, the belly and lower breast are buffy-pink, and the vent and undertail coverts are pale grey. The upperparts are smoky-grey with darker fringes on the mantle and wing coverts. Both sexes look similar, but there can be large variation in individual appearance.

The bar-tailed cuckoo-dove or black-billed cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is native to New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. It is rated as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negros fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The Negros fruit dove is a species of bird in the pigeon and dove family, Columbidae. It is endemic to the island of Negros in the Philippines. This fruit dove is known from a single female specimen collected from the slopes of Mount Kanlaon in the northern part of the island. While it was found at a high elevation, it is suspected that the species originally lived in the lowland dipterocarp forests and was driven to higher elevations by habitat destruction. While some have suggested that the specimen is either a runt or a hybrid instead of a valid species, this is not widely accepted. The female Negros fruit dove was a small fruit dove with vivid dark green plumage and an ashy-grey forehead. It had a distinctive ring of bare yellow skin around its eye, and yellow fringes to some of its feathers gave it the appearance of having a yellow wingbar when perched. The throat was white, while the undertail and vent were yellow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cream-breasted fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The cream-breasted fruit dove or cream-bellied fruit dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is a large and primarily greenish dove with a distinctive red wing patch and cream coloured breast which it was named after. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the islands of Luzon, Catanduanes and Polillo Islands. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland to montane forests of up to 1,300 masl. It is threatened by habitat loss, and trapping for the pet trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-breasted fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The yellow-breasted fruit dove locally known as balorinay is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. While it is listed as least concern in IUCN, it is declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and trapping for the illegal wildlife trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-green fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The grey-green fruit dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pied cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird

The pied cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1877, it is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, where it mainly inhabits lowland and hill forests at elevations of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It is a large, distinctive pigeon, with a length of 40–46 cm (16–18 in) and a weight of 279–325 g (9.8–11.5 oz). Adults are mainly black and white. The heads and underparts are whitish, while the wings, tails, and upperparts are black. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles are mainly sooty-grey in colour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird

The crested cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist John Gould in 1856, it is endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, where it mainly inhabits hill forests at elevations of 500–900 m (1,600–3,000 ft). It is a large and robust pigeon, with a length of 40–42 cm (16–17 in) and a distinctive pale purplish-grey crest. Adults are mainly bluish-grey, with a pale greyish-buff throat, blackish tail, and yellow-tipped reddish bill. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles lack the crest, have darker heads, and have duller wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird

The great cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1824, it is found on New Guinea, several surrounding islands, and Wallacea, where it mainly inhabits primary forest and the forest edge. It is a large, distinctive pigeon, with a length of 47.5–52.5 cm (18.7–20.7 in) and a weight of 208–305 g (7.3–10.8 oz). In adults, the head, neck, and breast are whitish or blue-grey, the underparts are pale bluish-grey, the upperparts are chestnut-brown, and the outer wings are black. Females differ from males in having more yellowish irises and duller orbital skin. Juveniles are mainly dull grey-brown, with dirty-white throats and bellies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thick-billed ground pigeon</span> Species of bird

The thick-billed ground pigeon, also known as the jungle pigeon or the slaty/grey ground pigeon, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is monotypic within the genus Trugon. Native to New Guinea, its natural habitat is moist tropical lowland forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fruit dove</span> Genus of birds

The fruit doves, also known as fruit pigeons, are a genus (Ptilinopus) of birds in the pigeon and dove family (Columbidae). These colourful, frugivorous doves are found in forests and woodlands in Southeast Asia and Oceania. It is a large genus with over 50 species, some threatened or already extinct.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 BirdLife International (2017). "Turacoena modesta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T22690609A111166273. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22690609A111166273.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 British Museum of Natural History (1893). Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Vol. 21. London. pp. 334–335.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. British Museum of Natural History; Gray, George Robert (1856). List of the specimens of birds in the collection of the British Museum. Vol. 4. London. p. 40.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Christopher Helm. pp. 257, 392. ISBN   978-1-4081-3326-2.
  5. 1 2 "Pigeons – IOC World Bird List" . Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  6. "Turacoena modesta (Black Cuckoo-Dove)". Avibase . Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Gibbs, David; Barnes, Eustace; Cox, John (2001). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press. pp. 281–282. ISBN   978-1-8734-0360-0. OCLC   701718514.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Baptista, Luis F.; Trail, Pepper W.; Horblit, H.M.; Boesman, Peter F. D.; Garcia, Ernest (2020-03-04). Billerman, Shawn M.; Keeney, Brooke K.; Rodewald, Paul G.; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (eds.). "Slaty Cuckoo-Dove (Turacoena modesta)". Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. doi:10.2173/bow.slacud1.01. S2CID   243115229 . Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  9. Kaszewska, Katarzyna; Skoracki, Maciej; Kavetska, Katarzyna (2016-05-10). "Two new Meitingsunes species (Acari: Syringophilidae) from Indonesian doves (Columbiformes: Columbidae)". Zootaxa. 4109 (4): 479–486. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4109.4.6. ISSN   1175-5334. PMID   27394880.