Afep Pigeon

It is the Afep Pigeon, also known as the Gray Wood Pigeon and African Wood Pigeon is a huge forest pigeon located in Africa expanding its coverage across the equatorial forest.

The origins from the Afep Pigeon

It is the Afep Pigeon, which was named Columba unicincta by 1860 is a bird that is indigenous to Cameroon Its name is taken by the Latin words”uni” meaning “one” as well as Cinctus which means “banded” within Bulu. Bulu language.

Habitat, Distribution and Habitat of The Afep Pigeon

The Afep Pigeon is a canopy species that is found within the African tropical rainforest that covers around 6,070,000 sq km and averaging 1,600 metres.

It is located in tropical primary and secondary montane and lowland forests in countries such as Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Their range, however, is not continuous There are isolated populations found in Liberia, Ivory Coast, southern Ghana and northern Uganda as well as northern Cameroon.

It is also more constant within the Congo basin.

Afep Pigeons are mostly arboreal they prefer habitats with a thick vegetation, but they can also be seen on plantations and farmland in times when food is not available.

Closest Columbidae Relatives to the Afep Pigeon

The Afep Pigeon is a huge bird that belongs to the Columba Genus, a huge bird genus comprising 35 species, mostly wood pigeons.

It has similarities to its cousin the Common Wood Pigeon, with the same head shape and a body that is rounded.

However there is no evidence that any is the Columba species is particularly alike apart from in flight.

Naped white Pigeon (Columba Albinucha)

The White-naped Pigeon is found in the western regions of Cameroon, Uganda, and Eastern DRC, has less uniform patterning and is also darker overall with a white nape in comparison with the Afep Pigeon.

Cameroon Olive Pigeon (Columba Sjostedti)

The species, which is smaller in comparison to it’s cousin the Afep Pigeon, can be found close to the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. It is darker and has less uniform patterns as well as white marks on the wings in maroon.

Western Bronze-Naped Pigeon (Columba Iriditorques)

It is the Western Bronze-Naped Pigeon, found from Ivory Coast to Uganda, is similar to it’s cousin the Afep Pigeon in flight but is bigger, with the appearance of a dark gray as well as an iridescent neck and a coppery mantle.

Appearance

Afep Pigeons are small, well constructed birds that have a lighter coloration as well as dark slate wings, with the primary feathers of blackish gray. They sport black flanks and black underwings and a head that is lighter gray and back. Males have a distinct pink flush across their breasts while females have a more subtle pink flush.

Their tails are black and have a the broad white/gray band. Young Afep Pigeons are darker, more brown and have strong barred. They have distinctive characteristics that differentiate them from other pigeons of the forest.

Afep Pigeon Conservation

It is the Afep Pigeon, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, is thought to be widespread within its range, but could be decreasing because of habitat destruction. While there are no specific conservation plans in place however, there are conservation sites within protected areas across the bird’s territory.

Diet

Afep Pigeons are species of birds which consume seeds, grains and fruits and have different preferences based on their environment. In Gabon they are a fan of turkey berries, Coelocaryon and Musanga In Zambia they are more fond of the fig tree and Sapium. They’ve also been documented eating termites.

While they generally remain in the same place However, they can move around because of food supply. In Zambia the population is smaller between March and May but more often from the months of the month of August through November. In times of shortage of food They may also be found in agricultural areas.

Mating And Breeding Afep Pigeons

Afep Pigeons breed during the final part of dry seasons generally in the months of June through September, in the majority of regions.

In Gabon the country of Gabon, they breed from January-February to March through April, with the different regions having their respective distinct breeding time.

The female is the one to lay an white egg that’s incubated for 14 to 18 days.

Both parents take care of the chick. The chick starts eating solid food a couple of days after hatching. The chick goes to the nest between 20 and 25 days old.