Tolima dove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tolima dove |
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Leptotila
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conoveri
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The Tolima dove (Leptotila conoveri) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Columbidae family, which includes doves and pigeons. This bird lives only in Colombia, which means it is endemic there.
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About the Tolima Dove
The Tolima dove is a unique bird found only in Colombia. It was first described by scientists James Bond and Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee in 1943.
What Does It Look Like?
The Tolima dove is about 22.5 to 25 centimeters (9 to 10 inches) long. It has a cool look with different shades of gray and reddish colors.
- Its head is blue-gray to dark gray.
- The back of its neck is reddish with a shiny violet color.
- Its upper back is reddish-gray with a shimmering violet glow.
- The rest of its upper body is dark gray with a purple shine.
- Its wings are a bit browner, and its tail is dark gray with white tips on the outer feathers.
- The throat is white, and the chest is a reddish-pink. Below that, the belly is a buff color.
Where Does It Live?
The Tolima dove mostly lives in the central Andes mountains of Colombia. For a long time, people thought it only lived in the Tolima and Huila Departments. But in 2014, it was also found in the Cundinamarca Department!
These doves like to live inside and at the edges of humid forests. They are usually found at high places, from about 1,200 to 2,500 meters (3,900 to 8,200 feet) above sea level. Interestingly, in some areas like the Combeima River canyon, they can be found in places changed by humans, such as coffee farms and near houses. This shows they can adapt to different environments.
How Does It Behave?
What Does It Eat?
Scientists have seen the Tolima dove eating seeds from a plant called Bocconia frutescens. However, not much else is known about what else it eats or how it finds its food.
Reproduction and Nests
Tolima doves seem to have their nesting season from March to September. They build a simple, shallow nest that looks like a bowl. They make it from strong twigs in bushes or small trees. These nests are usually not more than 2 meters (6.5 feet) off the ground. A female dove usually lays two eggs.
What Does It Sound Like?
The song of the Tolima dove is quite unique. It sounds like "wooOOOooo." It's a single, slightly slurred note with a clear emphasis in the middle.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) keeps track of how many Tolima doves there are. They first said the dove was "Threatened." Then, from 1994, it was listed as "Endangered," meaning it was in serious danger of disappearing. But in 2020, its status improved to "Near Threatened."
Even though its population seems to be split into smaller groups and much of its original forest home has been lost, the Tolima dove is adapting. It can live in secondary forests (forests that have grown back after being cut down) and even in coffee plantations. This ability to adapt gives hope for its future!
See also
In Spanish: Paloma montaraz de Tolima para niños
