Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Namaqua Dove

The Namaqua Dove is Africa's smallest dove, although its long pointed tail gives it added length. It resembles a wood-dove; the male has a black face and throat and yellow -tipped red bill. The female lacks the black face, has a shorter tail and a brown bill.

Last month, Marnitz, the young production supervisor, showed me a photo of a bird on a nest taken with his Blackberry. Later he returned to the site, and using my spare Canon Powershot, he zoomed in on the bird without disturbing it and took several photos. The bird, a Namaqua Dove  was sitting on its nest - on the ground. As far as I can ascertain, Namaqua Doves build their nests in trees, and at least a meter to two meters above the ground. 

Namaqua Dove female on her nest

Here Marnitz managed a good photo of her face

I love the white band across her back

Two Namaqua dove eggs in a nest on the ground? 

Photo credits: Marnitz Jordaan

I hope you're all having a really great week!
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7 comments:

  1. Joyful29 May, 2013 05:17

    Wow, Jo! Those are terrific shots by Marnitz. I especially love how he captured the eggs in the nest. I hope the eggs hatch before any predator gets them. Have a wonderful rest of your week.

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  2. Gaelyn29 May, 2013 08:09

    Marnitz did a great job on the photos. The doves around here aren't very smart about where they build nests.

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  3. Firefly the Travel Guy29 May, 2013 10:55

    This is a terrific find. I'm sure you gonna watch that nest with interest

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  4. Phillip29 May, 2013 20:50

    Never knew they appeared so far north. Lovely photos.

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  5. Peggy29 May, 2013 22:23

    Hi Jo, I am back (sort of)! Hopefully now with the new plot and other things levelling out I will be able to blog and visit my favourite blogs more often. I seem to have worked through the Blogger/Google problems and so far so good!
    The bird photos and facts are as always fascinating.

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  6. Anonymous29 May, 2013 23:30

    Precious captures Jo. Its so darn cute :>)

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  7. Pat08 June, 2013 02:45

    Lovely photos of the doves by Marnitz!

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo