Blue-spotted wood dove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue-spotted wood dove |
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Turtur
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afer
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The blue-spotted wood dove (Turtur afer) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the Columbidae family, which includes all pigeons and doves.
These doves are common in many parts of Africa. You can find them across most of Africa, especially south of the Sahel region. They are also present in parts of East Africa.
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About the Blue-Spotted Wood Dove
The blue-spotted wood dove gets its name from the bright blue spots on its wings. These spots make it easy to tell apart from other doves. It is a small bird, usually about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long.
These doves often live in forests, woodlands, and even gardens. They like areas with trees and shrubs where they can find food and shelter.
What They Eat
Blue-spotted wood doves mainly eat seeds. They also enjoy small fruits and insects. They usually search for food on the ground.
Their Calls
These doves make a soft, cooing sound. Their call is often described as a gentle "coo-coo-coo." You might hear them calling from trees or bushes.
Where They Live
The blue-spotted wood dove lives in many different habitats. They can be found in dense forests, open woodlands, and even near human homes. They are very adaptable birds.
Naming the Blue-Spotted Wood Dove
The scientific name for the blue-spotted wood dove is Turtur afer. This name helps scientists around the world know exactly which bird they are talking about.
Early Discoveries
In 1760, a French zoologist named Mathurin Jacques Brisson described this dove. He saw a specimen from Senegal. He gave it a French name, La tourterelle de Sénégal.
Linnaeus's Contribution
Later, in 1766, the famous Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus gave the dove its scientific name. He called it Columba afra. The word afer means "Africa" in Latin. This name showed that the bird came from Africa.
Today, the blue-spotted wood dove is placed in the genus Turtur. This genus was created by a Dutch naturalist named Pieter Boddaert in 1783. This dove is considered a single species, meaning there are no different types or subspecies of it.
