Mystery Solved - It's a Namaqua or Masked Dove
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325295)
Rockingham, Australia
March 22, 2016 8:09pm CST
I wrote a post about some cage birds that my sister has. I didn't know what they were but checked with my sister this morning. Kewkumber @Ladypeace suggested that the mystery bird was a Namaqua dove and she is right.
It is also called the Cape, masked or long-tailed dove. It is a monotypic species meaning the only species of the genus Oena. There are two sub-species. One is native to Africa and the Middle East (Oena capensis capensis) and the other to Madagascar (Oena capensis aliena).
Male birds have a black mask while the face of the female is a whitish grey. They are mainly seed-eaters but also eat insects. In their native regions they are found in dry, open habitat with some scrub vegetation or wooded areas. So the mystery is now solved!
18 people like this
19 responses
@DeborahDiane (40042)
• Laguna Woods, California
23 Mar 16
What a gorgeous bird! Our daughter has parakeets and had a cockatiel in the past, but never a bird like this!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
He's very pretty isn't he? Cockatiels are lovely too.
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
23 Mar 16
what a lovely photo. i love the beautiful birds in our world!
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
24 Mar 16
@JudyEv aw, i see cardinals almost daily around here
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@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
@jillybean1222 I don't think we have anything quite so bright although one of our parrots species is brightly coloured.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
24 Mar 16
what a beaut 'n so diff'rent from the doves 'round these parts. thanks fer the additional info's well :D
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
1 Apr 16
@JudyEv indeed, very purty :) most'f the dove 'round here're purty calm also. they've gotten used to me bein' out 'n i can purty much tell which'uns 've spent previous summers here 'n those that jest stay year round versus newcomers.
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@destimona (1910)
• Luxembourg, Luxembourg
23 Mar 16
I am somehow right in my response. I told you its a Dove. 
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I don't remember if I ever saw this bird in Sydney or surrounding areas, I am not sure though. Next time I go there (in May this year) I will check if I could see one of these beautiful birds.@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
It is a cage or aviary bird so hopefully it won't be flying around free. You might find it in a bird shop.
@Tampa_girl7 (48886)
• United States
24 Mar 16
I am glad that the mystery is solved.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
Yes, I like to know what the different birds are.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 Mar 16
love the colors on the beak, quite vivid
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@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
I had to scroll up and check out the beak and you're right. They are vivid.
@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
It's lovely isn't it? Are you in America yet? As soon as Vince gets home we're off on our little Easter sojourn.
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
23 Mar 16
So beautiful bird! Oh you really researched on what bird it is.It is really nice to watch these wonderful creatures.
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@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
Kewkumber had worked out what it was and then my sister confirmed it.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
23 Mar 16
What a beautiful bird. I love the color of it's beak. Is the one pictured here your sisters?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
It does have a colourful beak, doesn't it? Yes, Vince took this photo of my sister's bird.
@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
They are native to South Africa but are now sold, possibly all over the world, as cage birds.
@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
I am always learning things on this site. I didn't realise I knew so little till I joined MyLot! 
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
23 Mar 16
Thanks for the mention Judy, you're too lovely. *Jumps in joy like a kid that won an arcade game* The birds in your picture looked alike to what turned up in my image search.
It is a very adorable and sweet gentle looking bird. I've never seen it before up till now. I had 2 parakeets when I was a kid. I hated myself because I couldn't train them to speak.
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@JudyEv (325295)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 16
I checked Namaqua after your first mention but for some reason wasn't convinced. They are a completely different colour from the back to the front which is what threw me I think. It's a shame your parakeets wouldn't talk. I think we call these budgerigars.
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@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
23 Mar 16
I've never heard of those either. Like I said, my dove knowledge is pretty much nil.
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