A beautifully camouflaged and surprisingly agile bird that brings a splash of subtle color and quiet charm to forests, woodlands, and even city parks across sub-Saharan Africa. Though it may not be as flamboyant as tropical parrots, this pigeon is a master of blending in with its leafy surroundings, thanks to its soft green plumage, gentle movements, and tree-loving habits.
The African green pigeon has a stocky body, a short neck, and a small head, typical of many pigeon species. Its plumage is mainly olive green, which allows it to disappear into foliage with ease. The shoulders and wings are marked with maroon and yellow, adding a splash of color when the bird is in flight or seen up close. The bill is reddish with a pale tip, and the eyes are bright, giving the bird a gentle but alert expression.
This pigeon is arboreal, meaning it spends most of its time in trees, rarely coming down to the ground. It is highly skilled at clambering among branches, much like a parrot—using its strong feet and claws to move nimbly while feeding. It prefers areas with fruiting trees, such as figs and wild plums, and is especially fond of fermenting fruit, which has led to occasional reports of them becoming a little “tipsy” after indulging.
African green pigeons are social birds, often found in small flocks or family groups. When feeding, they move quietly through the canopy, often going unnoticed despite their size. They are generally silent or soft-voiced, but they do produce low, growling coos or croaky whistles, especially when disturbed or during mating displays.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Sudan
São Tomé & Príncipe
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Frugivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
