Somali Pigeon Columba oliviae Scientific name definitions

28 cm. General colour lavender-grey, mantle and wings with brownish tinge; lower back and rump bluer, darker grey; primaries tipped with black; tail black with grey central band; forehead, crown and nape mauve-pink; hindneck with patch of iridescent coppery brown with green suffusion; iris yellow; orbital skin red or purplish red; bill black, cere white; legs pink. In some individuals wings are flecked with black, atavistic remnants of wingbars found in C. eversmanni. Sexes alike. Juvenile unknown.

Coasts of N & NE Somalia.

Inhabits rocky and sandstone hills and escarpments; found in areas of scant vegetation and almost no water, up to 750 m (once to 1425 m).

Locally migratory, in hot weather of May–Sept absent from cliffs at Guban.

Feeds mostly on the ground, where takes seeds; cultivated grain; berries also known to be eaten.

Poorly documented. Presumed advertising call described as “wuk-wuk-wuk-oooh”, the notes sounding similar to those of related species but the final note being more drawn-out (1 Gibbs, D., E. Barnes, and J. Cox (2001). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK. Close ).

Nests found in May and Aug. Two nests examined were made of dried grass placed in recesses in cave roofs. Each contained one egg.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Data Deficient. Restricted-range species, endemic to north-east Somalia and present in North Somali Mountains EBA. A very poorly known species, in urgent need of study; although locally common and not known to be declining, species may be threatened, considering its very small range. One potential threat may come from Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea, which is expanding its range very rapidly in Somalia and had encroached upon present species' range by 2005 (2 Butchart, S. H. M. (2007). Birds to find: a review of ‘lost’, obscure and poorly known African bird species. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 14(2):139–157. Close ). Surveys required, in order to establish current population size, trends, and conservation requirements. Effects of extended period of warfare within species' limited range remain to be determined.