Turtur brehmeri
The Blue-headed Wood Dove (Turtur brehmeri) is a small, shy dove endemic to the forests of West and Central Africa, immediately recognizable by its striking, iridescent blue-grey head and neck. Measuring between 20-25 centimeters (8-10 inches) in length and weighing roughly 50-80 grams, its body plumage contrasts with rufous-brown upperparts and a paler, buffy underside. Distinctive field marks include its vibrant blue head, dark bill, and bright pinkish-red legs and feet, which stand out aga...
This species primarily inhabits dense, moist lowland evergreen primary and secondary forests, often frequenting forest edges and mature regenerating woodlands at low to mid-elevations.
The diet consists predominantly of small fallen seeds and fruits from various forest trees and shrubs, supplemented occasionally by small invertebrates.
Typically a solitary or pair-dwelling bird, the Blue-headed Wood Dove is notoriously shy and secretive, often observed foraging quietly on the forest floor during daylight hours. It gleans fallen seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates from leaf litter, often disappearing into dense undergrowth at...
The Blue-headed Wood Dove is endemic to the lowland rainforests of West and Central Africa, displaying a somewhat fragmented distribution. Its range extends from southeastern Liberia and southwestern Côte d'Ivoire, through Ghana, Togo, southern Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the...
Near Threatened
- The Blue-headed Wood Dove is one of the most intensely blue-headed doves in the world, making it instantly recognizable in its genus. - Its shy and retiring nature means it is more often heard than seen, despite its vibrant head coloration. - The species' call, a soft, melancholy cooing, is som...