Speckled Pigeon / Rock Pigeon

Afrikaans name: Kransduif

Speckled Pigeon also known as a Rock Pigeon

Photo © Steven Herbert

Columba guinea

For many years the Speckled Pigeon was known as the Rock Pigeon in South Africa.

This pigeon is a common bird in suitable habitat over much of sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers open areas but it is becoming more and more common around our cities and farms.

The Speckled Pigeon can reach a length of around 40 cm. They eat seeds and grain and are particularly fond of groundnuts.

These pigeons make their nests on a cliff, building or in a tree. Most often two eggs are laid.

Male and female Speckled Pigeons have similar plumage.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	311	Dialiptila phaeonota phaeonota
2nd	311	Columba guinea
3rd	311	Columba guinea
4th	311	Columba guinea
5th	349	Columba guinea
6th	349	Columba guinea
7th	180	Columba guinea

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	311	Cape Rock Pigeon
2nd	311	Rock Pigeon
3rd	311	Rock Pigeon
4th	311	Rock Pigeon
5th	349	Rock Pigeon
6th	349	Rock Pigeon
7th	180	Speckled Pigeon

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	311	Bosduif
2nd	311	Bosduif
3rd	311	Bosduif
4th	311	Bosduif
5th	349	Kransduif
6th	349	Kransduif
7th	180	Kransduif

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 53

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 48

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 45

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 104

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Published: 1983 - Page: 7

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 126

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 21

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 115

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 42

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 214

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 222

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 299

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 222

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 303

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 215

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 198

Newman s Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 28

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 166

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 84

More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 45

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 198

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 49

KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 162

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 148

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 58

Geoff Lockwood s Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 31

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 167

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 156

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 102

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 37

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 14

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 112

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 64

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 114

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 39

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 2 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 6

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 96

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 131

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 202

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 114

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 114

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 141

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List of South African Birds