1-1-2024 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

Speckled Pigeon is endemic to Africa.

Adult has blue-grey upperparts, and maroon mantle with light purplish reflections. On the wings, inner wing-coverts and tertials are maroon, slightly marked with grey. Outer wing-coverts are grey. We can see large part of wings boldly tipped with numerous white triangles, becoming narrow white fringe on outer greater coverts. Flight feathers are dull grey-brown.

Back to rump is pale grey, ending into darker grey uppertail coverts. All feathers show pale grey tips. Tail Is dark grey with broad black terminal band.

Speckled Pigeon feeds mainly on seeds and cultivated grains. 

30-12-2023 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

 Big, dark pigeon with white spots across the shoulder and a big red patch of bare skin around the eye. In flight, shows a gray tail band and rump. Found in many different open habitats, and nests in towns and cities and on cliffs. Only absent from thick forest. Common vocalizations are a “rrrour” call and an accelerating series of hoots. Somewhat similar to Rameron Pigeon, but largely absent from forest, and shows much larger wing spots and red rather than yellow bare facial skin.

31-12-2023 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

The speckled pigeon (Columba guinea), also African rock pigeon or Guinea pigeon, is a pigeon that is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over much of its range, although there are sizable gaps in its distribution. It is sometimes referred to as the Guinea pigeon due to its similar coloring to some species of guineafowl.

This is a large pigeon at 41 cm in length. Its back and wings are rufous, the latter heavily speckled with white spots. The rest of the upperparts and underparts are blue-grey, and the head is grey with red patches around the eye. The neck is brownish, streaked with white, and the legs are red. Sexes are similar, but immatures are browner than adults and lack the red eye patches. The call is a loud doo-doo-doo.

9-6-2023 MANDAI BIRD PARADISE, SINGAPORE - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

 The speckled pigeon (Columba guinea), also African rock pigeon or Guinea pigeon, is a pigeon that is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over much of its range, although there are sizable gaps in its distribution. It is sometimes referred to as the Guinea pigeon due to its similar coloring to some species of guineafowl.

19-12-2022 BRUFUT FOREST, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3036-Columba-guinea

16-12-2022 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3036-Columba-guinea

24-4-2022 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3036-Columba-guinea

23-4-2022 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3036-Columba-guinea

21-4-2022 MANDINA LODGE, GAMBIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3036-Columba-guinea

16-1-2019 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF, SOUTH AFRICA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

30-3-2018 KNYSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/3036-Columba-guinea

27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF, SOUTH AFRICA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

25-3-2018 HERMANUS, SOUTH AFRICA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

13-9-2017 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

The Speckled Pigeon, known scientifically as Columba guinea, is a robust avian resident of Africa, south of the Sahara. This species is often seen in open habitats and is recognized by its rufous back and wings, which are adorned with a multitude of white speckles. The pigeon's head is a subtle grey, accented with striking red patches encircling the eyes, while the neck displays a brownish hue interlaced with white streaks. The legs of this bird are a vivid red, adding a dash of color to its otherwise muted blue-grey plumage. Both sexes appear similar, with the immature birds presenting a browner plumage and lacking the distinctive red eye patches.

When identifying the Speckled Pigeon, look for its large size, measuring at 41 cm in length. The white speckles on the rufous wings are a key feature, along with the red eye patches in adults. The bird's flight is characterized by quick, regular beats interspersed with occasional sharp flicks of the wings, typical of pigeons.

This pigeon favors open habitats and is commonly found in proximity to human settlements and cultivated lands.

The Speckled Pigeon boasts a widespread presence across much of Africa, though its distribution does exhibit significant gaps. It is a resident breeder in the region, ensuring its regular sighting throughout the year.

The Speckled Pigeon is a sociable bird, often gathering in large flocks where food sources such as grain or groundnuts are abundant. It has adapted well to human environments, frequently seen around habitation and cultivation.

The vocalization of the Speckled Pigeon is a resonant and unmistakable "doo-doo-doo," which can be heard echoing across its habitat.

Breeding pairs construct large stick nests on protected rocky outcrops, and within urban settings, they may nest atop covered pergola pillars or under deep eaves on flat roofs. The pigeon lays a clutch of two white eggs.

The diet of the Speckled Pigeon is primarily vegetable matter. It is known to feed in large numbers in areas where grains and groundnuts are readily available.

The Speckled Pigeon is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any significant threats to its population at this time.

28-11-2016 JURONG, SINGAPORE - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

The speckled pigeon (Columba guinea ), or (African) rock pigeon, is a pigeon that is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over much of its range, although there are sizable gaps in its distribution. It is sometimes referred to as the Guinea pigeon due to its similar coloring to some species of guineafowl.

This is a large pigeon at 41 cm in length. Its back and wings are rufous, the latter heavily speckled with white spots. The rest of the upperparts and underparts are blue-grey, and the head is grey with red patches around the eye. The neck is brownish, streaked with white, and the legs are red. Sexes are similar, but immatures are browner than adults and lack the red eye patches. The call is a loud doo-doo-doo.

The speckled pigeon is frequently seen around human habitation and cultivation. Most of its food is vegetable, and it gathers in large numbers where grain or groundnuts are available. This species builds a large stick nest on protected rocky outcrops and in urban areas often atop covered pergola pillars and on flat roofs under deep eaves and lays two white eggs. Its flight is quick, with regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings that are characteristic of pigeons in general.