Tambourine Dove

Small sized, the Tambourine Dove appears to be two-toned at first glance, brown on top and white underneath. However, there is a sexual dimorphism, the only case in the genus Turtur. When perched, the male is darker than the female. The crown, sides of the neck and back are dark brown. Two small, round, black spots are visible on the wing covers and are slightly iridescent. The covers are brown-chocolate, the remiges and rectrices are mainly chestnut with light stripes on the edges. The forehead, back of the eyes, throat, chest, flanks and belly are all brightly white. The female is a bit more dull underneath. She retains white forehead like the male, but the throat, chest, flanks and belly are gray-blue. The middle of the chest can sometimes appear very light chamois. The spots that she has on the wings are much less iridescent than those of the male. In both sexes, the eyes are black, connected to the beak by a black line that is very visible even from a distance, the beak is red-carmine with a black or gray tip and the legs are dark red. The juvenile is similar to the female but still has many streaked reddish brown feathers.