Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata Scientific name definitions

The Lemon Dove is a fairly small, somewhat dumpy-looking, short-legged, and short-tailed pigeon that occupies a somewhat discontinuous distribution across sub-Saharan Africa from Sierra Leone in the west, Eritrea in the north and east, to the Cape of South Africa in the far south. Its subspecific and generic taxonomy are both disputed, and even species limits within the complex may require re-evaluation. Throughout the species’ rather large range, it is a generally uncommon inhabitant of lowland and, more especially, montane forest up to ca. 3,000 m. It is typically very secretive, and walks on the ground with an upright gait searching for fruits and seeds, as well as some animal prey, but if disturbed Lemon Dove flushes noisily, and is usually not seen again; however, in some areas, where it has adapted to well-wooded gardens, the species can become relatively confiding. Aplopelia larvata usually occurs in areas of evergreen forest with a dense understory, but has been recorded utilizing degraded forests and the edge of cultivated areas. Whilst this species can often look rather dark in the understory, if seen well both sexes have a whitish face and cinnamon underparts which are diagnostic in East Africa; however, in West Africa, the female has cinnamon underparts, which are grayer in males.