Fruit dove profile
African green pigeon
Treron calvus
Welcome to the profile of the African green pigeon (Treron calvus). The documented natural range includes Afrika south of the Sahara excluding the desert regions of south-west Africa. With a body length of 25-30 cm, this species belongs to the green pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: project birds belong to at least four different subspecies, so each subspecies is represented by only…
Description
Welcome to the profile of the African green pigeon (Treron calvus). The documented natural range includes Afrika south of the Sahara excluding the desert regions of south-west Africa. With a body length of 25-30 cm, this species belongs to the green pigeons. Within the European Fruit Dove Project, the current status is recorded as: project birds belong to at least four different subspecies, so each subspecies is represented by only a relatively small stock; the subspecies status has not yet been clarified for all birds. This page brings together distribution data, identification notes and practical husbandry experience, helping keepers and breeders to exchange knowledge and support the long-term conservation breeding of this species.
Profile & short facts for African green pigeon
| English name | African green pigeon |
|---|---|
| German name | Rotnasen-Grüntaube |
| Scientific name | Treron calvus |
| Genus | Treron |
| Category | Treron - green pigeons |
| Distribution | Afrika south of the Sahara excluding the desert regions of south-west Africa |
| Subspecies | 1. Treron calvus calvus – eastern Nigeria to north-eastern Congo and central Angola | 2. Treron calvus nudirostris – Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau | 3. Treron calvus sharpei – Sierra Leone to southern Nigeria and northern Cameroon | 4. Treron calvus poensis – Bioco | 5. Treron calvus uellensis – northern Congo to South Sudan and Uganda | 6. Treron calvus brevicerus – south-western Ethiopia to northern Tanzania | 7. Treron calvus salvadorii – eastern Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi | 8. Treron calvus granviki – western Kenya to north-western Tanzania | 9. Treron calvus wakefieldii – coastal Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania | 10. Treron calvus granti – lowland eastern Tanzania, Zanzibar | 11. Treron calvus orientalis – southern Tanzania, Mozambique and lower Zambezi | 12. Treron calvus schalowi – southern Congo and Zambia to the Victoria Falls | 13. Treron calvus chobiensis – south-western Zimbabwe and northern Botswana | 14. Treron calvus ansorgei – southern Angola | 15. Treron calvus vylderi – north-western Namibia | 16. Treron calvus damarensis – north-eastern Namibia and north-western Botswana | 17. Treron calvus delalandii – African east coast from Kenya to South Africa | The taxonomy is disputed; in some treatments only 15 subspecies are recognised. For most subspecies, little information is available. |
| Size / characteristics | 25-30 cm | External sexing is difficult. The cere and plumage of the female are paler. |
| Status | project birds belong to at least four different subspecies, so each subspecies is represented by only a relatively small stock; the subspecies status has not yet been clarified for all birds |
Habitat and natural range
Wooded savannas, open woodland, gallery forests along rivers and cultivated land.
Feeding in the European Fruit Dove Project
Frugivorous. Feeds mainly on fleshy fruits such as wild figs; unlike true fruit doves, green pigeons may also process small seeds in the digestive tract. In human care: fruit-dove diet, soft-fruit mix and small amounts of easily digestible seeds.
Husbandry in the European Fruit Dove Project
Very agile green pigeon. Appreciates climbing opportunities among branches. A well-insulated or lightly heated shelter for the European winter is strongly recommended to prevent frost damage to the legs and feet.
Breeding and offspring
The clutch usually consists of 1–2 eggs. Nests are often rather loose platforms in dense thorny vegetation. Visual screening along aviary sides can significantly improve breeding success.
Subspecies and systematics
- Treron calvus calvus – eastern Nigeria to north-eastern Congo and central Angola | 2. Treron calvus nudirostris – Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau | 3. Treron calvus sharpei – Sierra Leone to southern Nigeria and northern Cameroon | 4. Treron calvus poensis – Bioco | 5. Treron calvus uellensis – northern Congo to South Sudan and Uganda | 6. Treron calvus brevicerus – south-western Ethiopia to northern Tanzania | 7. Treron calvus salvadorii – eastern Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi | 8. Treron calvus granviki – western Kenya to north-western Tanzania | 9. Treron calvus wakefieldii – coastal Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania | 10. Treron calvus granti – lowland eastern Tanzania, Zanzibar | 11. Treron calvus orientalis – southern Tanzania, Mozambique and lower Zambezi | 12. Treron calvus schalowi – southern Congo and Zambia to the Victoria Falls | 13. Treron calvus chobiensis – south-western Zimbabwe and northern Botswana | 14. Treron calvus ansorgei – southern Angola | 15. Treron calvus vylderi – north-western Namibia | 16. Treron calvus damarensis – north-eastern Namibia and north-western Botswana | 17. Treron calvus delalandii – African east coast from Kenya to South Africa | The taxonomy is disputed; in some treatments only 15 subspecies are recognised. For most subspecies, little information is available.
Special notes on the species
Has a bare, bright red cere at the base of the bill; uses its strong feet to hang upside down from branches while feeding.
Conservation status
| CITES | Not listed |
|---|---|
| EU species protection | Not listed |
Further sources
Images of the African green pigeon
Image credits
- Rotnasen-Grüntaube tansanischem Ursprungs bei Noël Hendrikx (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Rotnasen-Grüntaube westafrikanischen Ursprungs im Zoo Pilsen (© Johannes Pfleiderer)
- Rotnasen-Grüntaube - Unterart delalandii - bei Henk Nabenman (© Johannes Pfleiderer)