Plumbeous Pigeon (Patagioenas
plumbea) (aka Columba plumbea) |
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Borba, Amazonas, Brazil August 2004 Unfortunately, these pigeons, which were feeding at a fruiting tree, were not vocalizing which makes their identification somewhat problematic. They are either Ruddy Pigeon C. subvinacea or Plumbeous Pigeon C. plumbea. |
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My original identification was Ruddy Pigeon based on the HBW which says: "iris ranges from pink to purplish red to brownish, with pale inner ring; orbital skin dull red", while for Plumbeous Pigeon it says: "iris red; orbital skin purplish red". However, Hilty, in Birds of Venezuela, says of Ruddy Pigeon: "eyes red... note eye color (yellow in Plumbeous Pigeon)" which is all a bit confusing. | |||
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I got some valuable input
from José Fernando Pacheco who informed me that Hellmayr
(1910. The birds of the rio Madeira) mentions "iris
brown" for the Plumbeous Pigeon Columba plumbea
pallescens collected at Borba. Unfortunately, Hellmayr
didn't collect any specimens of Ruddy Pigeon in the
area.
I also asked for help from Bird Forum and you can follow the thread of the discussion at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=24949. The strongest evidence is from Rasmus Boegh
in favour of Plumbeous Pigeon. He says: So I am going with Rasmus's view. If you have anything further to add, please let me know at arthur@arthurgrosset.com or through the Bird Forum site. |
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