Category Archive: Columbidae

May 22 2013

The White Passenger Pigeon and the Old Man Wild Cat

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It is said that among travelling pigeons the white ones are the chiefs of their communities. According to tradition, a white pigeon once flew into the forest lodge of a noted old man, the Wild Cat. The visitor did not appear ill at ease but stood in the lodge wherever it seemed good to him, …

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May 20 2013

Folklore Rhodesia, The Wood Pigeon and the Child

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There was a man and he caught a Wood Pigeon and he put it in a cage. When he went out to work he left the bird at home and he told his Child never to open the door. The first day the Child called all his friends to see it. Next day the Child …

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May 20 2013

Folklore Cameroon, Pigeon and Branch are no longer friends

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Mourning Pigeon and Branch-of-Tree had been friends for many years. Truly, their friendship was great. Then one day Pigeon insulted Branch-of-Tree’s wife. “Let us adjust this thing that has come between us, lest our friendship be broken,” said he to Pigeon. “No, the matter will rest as it stands,” answered Pigeon, and then he flew …

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May 09 2013

Bird stories, Emerald-spotted Dove (Turtur Chalcospilos)

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This story originates from the Zulu tribes in South Africa. Now here we have got another bird with a very remarkable and somehow sad history amongst our people. It is a plump beautiful creature. This bird, our people say, is the bird of mourning, a bird of sadness, a bird of sorrow. It is a …

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May 09 2013

Bird stories, Crested Pigeon and the Diamon Dove

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An Australian Aboriginal tale. A long time ago, the Diamond Dove (Kurukuku) had some nice grinding stones. Every day, she would go out to collect seeds and bring them back to grind to make damper. Crested Pigeon (Mulambada) used to watch Diamond Dove grinding her food and often wished he had some stones like that. …

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May 07 2013

Bird stories, Cape Dove (Oena capensis)

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The Cape Dove has the strange name of Tsidzotononina (Unspeakable) among the Tankla or forest tribes, probably because its more common name had become tabooed or sacred through having formed part of the name of one of their chiefs. This seems confirmed by the fact that the other provincial name of this Dove, Katbto, is …

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May 03 2013

Bird stories, Bengal Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera)

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The belief of the hill-tribes in north-eastern India, the natives of Furredpore in eastern Bengal say that whenever this bird descends to the water’s edge for a drink it holds a twig in its claws ; it prides itself on living altogether on trees, and in order that it may not be accused of perching …

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May 02 2013

Bird stories, African Olive Pigeon

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Because of its song “Ngiuu, Ngiuu,” the Tembo people think that it is ill and about to die. It is also called “Chitinga” (= crown) because it has a crown on the head. It is a kingly bird. Edible. Kizungu, B., et al. ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGY OF THE TEMBO IN EASTERN DRC (FORMER ZAIRE): PART ONE, KALEHE …

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Dec 27 2011

The census and distribution of winteringwoodpigeons Columba palumbus in theIberian peninsula

Wood-Pigeon (Columba palumbus) Science Article 1 abstract Throughout the 1997-1998, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons, Woodpigeon population censuseswere carried out in their traditional Iberian wintering area, which comprises the southwesternquadrant of the Peninsula. The method applied was the direct counting of flocks incommunal roosts, of which 210 have been checked so far. Four counts were carried …

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Dec 27 2011

Nonlinear phenomena and song evolution in Streptopelia doves

Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia turtur) Science Article 1 abstract The production of complex bird song is commonly achieved through neuromuscular activity of respiratory,syringeal and craniomandibular systems. According to nonlinear dynamics theory, however, complexity can also emergespontaneously from very simple and deterministic systems, without any external control. Thus far, studies linking bird songcomplexity with nonlinear dynamics are very …

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