Ring-necked Dove vs Red-eyed Dove - Tanzania (1 Viewer)

[jmorlan]

6 July 2013. Gibb's Farm, Karatu, Arusha Region, Tanzania. I originally thought this was a Red-eyed Dove because it seems to show reddish eyes. But looking more closely, it has gray orbital skin. Now I'm having second thoughts. Is it just a Ring-necked Dove with reddish/amber eyes?

Thanks in advance.

 

[njlarsen]

I am far from an expert, but the collar seems to wide for African Collared Dove

Niels

 

[jmorlan]

Thanks but it's not African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) which does not occur in Tanzania. I was asking about Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola) vs. Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata). Both occur in the area.

 

[njlarsen]

Sorry, I think I am too tired: I actually meant Streptopelia capicola, which in South Africa is known as Cape Turtle Dove, and when I wrote the English name I completely screwed up. see: http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Streptopelia_capicola and the pictures found through the gallery search near the bottom of the page.

Niels

 

[SJC]

If I remember correctly the red bare skin around the eye (which is sometimes not that obviously red) should make this a Red-eyed

 

[jmorlan]

Here is a close up.

Here is a close up of the head. It looks to me like the orbital skin is gray or blue-gray. Also the iris looks golden-brown, not red.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Exact but eye colour alone is diagnostic down here.

Black = Ring-necked
Red = Red-eyed
White/yellow = African Mourning

 

[jmorlan]

I remain unclear which species this is. I posted a close up and I do not see the eye as truly red, nor is it yellow, nor is it all dark. Any clarification would be helpful.

 

[njlarsen]

I think it is NOT Streptopelia capicola but most likely Streptopelia semitorquata

Niels

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

If I remember correctly the red bare skin around the eye (which is sometimes not that obviously red) should make this a Red-eyed

Exact!

I think it is NOT Streptopelia capicola but most likely Streptopelia semitorquata

Exact.

Your bird has red eyes and it is a Red-eyed Dove.