Photo: Bank of Somaliland / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Somali Pigeon
Columba oliviae
Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae) — Pigeons & Doves of Africa.
The Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae) is a member of the Columbidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 308 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae Pigeons, Doves
- Genus Columba
- Species oliviae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 308 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Columbidae
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Somali Pigeon is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Somali Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family, part of the order Columbiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF coastal ne Somalia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 308 g, with a wing length of about 20.1 cm and a tail of around 10 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 25,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Somali Pigeon?
The Somali Pigeon is a large bird that weighs around 308 g.
Where does the Somali Pigeon live?
The Somali Pigeon is found across Africa with a range covering AF coastal ne Somalia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Somali Pigeon belong to?
The Somali Pigeon (Columba oliviae) belongs to the Columbidae family, in the order Columbiformes.
What does the Somali Pigeon eat?
The Somali Pigeon is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Somali Pigeon migrate?
The Somali Pigeon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Somali Pigeon endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Somali Pigeon's range?
The Somali Pigeon has a mapped global range of about 25,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Columbidae
A field guide to the Columbidae family — 352 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.