Tórtola Tolimense
Tolima Dove
Leptotila conoveri
Song
Tolima Dove
Appearance: The Tolima Dove is a medium-sized bird with a length of around 28 cm. It has a pale gray head, neck, and breast, while the back and wings are a darker shade of gray. Its underparts are a light buff color and it has a noticeable white band on its forehead. The bill is black.
Habitat: The Tolima Dove inhabits montane forests and shrubby areas on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains. It is found at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 m.
Behavior: This species is known for being shy and elusive, making it challenging to observe in the wild. Tolima Doves are often seen foraging for seeds, fruits, and small invertebrates on the forest floor. They tend to be solitary or occur in pairs.
Breeding: Tolima Doves build their nests in trees or shrubs, constructing a simple platform made of twigs and leaves. The female lays one or two eggs, which both parents incubate and care for.
Conservation Status: The Tolima Dove is listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Distribution
Tolima Department: The Tolima Dove is named after the Tolima Department, where it was first discovered. This region, located in the central part of Colombia, including the central Andes, is a key area for the presence of the Tolima Dove.
Huila Department: The Huila Department, located south of Tolima, also provides excellent habitat for the Tolima Dove. The species is known to inhabit montane forests and cloud forests in this area.
Quindio Department: The Quindío Department, located west of Tolima and north of the Huila Department, is another region where the Tolima Dove is found.
Central Andes: This region as a whole, encompasses parts of Tolima, Huila, and Quindio departments. These mountainous and forested areas provide the ideal habitat for the species, with its elevation, vegetation, and climate conditions supporting the bird's survival and reproduction.
Taxonomy
The Tolima Dove (Leptotila conoveri)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Columbiformes
- Family: Columbidae
- Genus: Leptotila
- Species: Leptotila conoveri
Vocalization
Call: The Tolima Dove produces a deep, resonant, and melodious "coo-cooo" or "coo-coo-coo" call that is repeated at regular intervals. This call is often described as mournful and haunting, and it carries far through the dense vegetation of the montane and cloud forests where the doves typically reside.
Advertising Call: During the breeding season, male Tolima Doves may intensify their calling, using a slightly modified or more elaborate version of their typical call. The advertising call is often used to attract a mate or to establish and defend a territory.
Duetting: Tolima Doves engage in duetting, where both male and female birds participate in coordinated vocalizations. Duetting is a form of communication between mates and can strengthen their pair bond.
Alarm Calls: When threatened or disturbed, Tolima Doves may emit rapid and repetitive alarm calls to warn other doves in the vicinity of potential danger. These alarm calls serve as a means of alerting others to potential threats in their environment.
Interaction Calls: Tolima Doves also use a variety of softer and more subtle vocalizations during social interactions, such as feeding together or perching in close proximity to one another. These interaction calls help maintain social cohesion within a group of doves.
