Namaqua Dove

Afrikaans name: Namakwaduifie

Namaqua Dove

Photo © Steven Herbert

Terathopius ecaudatus

The Namaqua Dove is found over much of sub-Saharan Africa where it occurs in a variety of habitats such as savanna, farmlands and even gardens. In South Africa it may be seen over most of the country but it is absent from some of the Eastern Cape.S

These birds are most often seen in open areas on the ground where they look for seeds. When disturbed they fly off very quickly.

The male Namaqua Dove has a red bill and extensive black on its face and chest. The female is more of a uniform grey colour. Both sexes have long tails.

Despite spending much of their time on the ground these birds build their nest low-down in a tree or shrub. They lay either one or two eggs and both sexes attend to the eggs and chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	318	Oena capensis capensis
2nd	318	Oena capensis
3rd	318	Oena capensis
4th	318	Oena capensis
5th	356	Oena capensis
6th	356	Oena capensis
7th	192	Oena capensis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	318	Namaqua Dove
2nd	318	Namaqua Dove
3rd	318	Namaqua Dove
4th	318	Namaqua Dove
5th	356	Namaqua Dove
6th	356	Namaqua Dove
7th	192	Namaqua Dove

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	318	Namakwa-duifie
2nd	318	Namakwa-duifie
3rd	318	Namakwa-duifie
4th	318	Namakwa-duifie
5th	356	Namakwaduifie
6th	356	Namakwaduifie
7th	192	Namakwaduifie

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 106

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 129

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 98

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Published: 1983 - Page: 104

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 23

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 226

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 306

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 218

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 309

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 229

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 220

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 88

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 169

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 196

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 196

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 152

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

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

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 158

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 105

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

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 65

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 117

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 117

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 41

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 134

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 94

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 116

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 116

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 143

BirdLife South Africa

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