- Treron sanctithomae
Identification
30 cm. Similar to dull looking forms of African Green Pigeon but with a heavy, strongly arched bill and small cere.
- Greenish-grey head, neck and most of underparts
- Bright yellow and dark green vent and tibial feathers
- Dark olive-green mantle, back, rump and wing-coverts
- Dark mauve patch on bend of wing
- Blackish primaries and secondaries
- Pale yellow edged to greater coverts and narrow pale edges to secondaries
- Grey tail with olive tinge, poorly defined blackish central band
- Chestnut undertail-coverts with creamy tips
Sexes similar, juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Endemic to Sao Tomé. Formerly also on nearby Isla das Rôlas.
Frequent to common in its small range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Probably forms a superspecies with Madagascar Green Pigeon, African Green Pigeon and Pemba Green Pigeon.
Habitat
Primary forest. Also in secondary forest and plantations.
Occurs up to 1600 m, commonest above 300 m.
Behaviour
Diet
A frugivorous species. Forages high in the canopy, feeding on banana, Musanga and Ficus fruits.
Breeding
Breeding season from late November to April/May. The nest is a loosely constructed platform made of twigs. A described nest was placed 2.5 m above the ground in a cocoa tree and contained one egg.
Movements
No information available.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved July 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Sao Tome Green Pigeon. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 21 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Sao_Tome_Green_Pigeon
