Information of Tortola Cordillerana, bird guide

Familia: Columbidae
Genero: Metriopelia
Nombre Cientifico: melanoptera

NAME (S) LOCAL (S):
Mountainous Tortola, culluca.

DISTRIBUTION IN CHILE:
from Arica to Llanelli.

HABITAT:
mountain range, between 1,000 and 4,500 m In winter you can go down to the coast.

DESCRIPTION:
Length: 23 to 24 cms.
Head, neck and back of something brownish gray. Sides of the neck, chest and abdomen smooth winy tone. Alas black with primary and secondary; greater coverts gray, white wing fold. Subcaudal Cola and black. Eye silvery white, this bare area of soft orange. Bill black. Black legs.

Size slightly smaller than the Dove (Zenaida auriculata), the turtle mountain range can be easily distinguished by their black wings with a white spot in the bend of it. In flight, the white spot becomes a white stripe separating the black color of the primary and secondary coverts gray.

It is found throughout the mountainous belt between 1,000 and 4,500 m from the north end to Llanelli, but during the winter, often down to the Central Valley and even reaching the coast. Or in the northern reach pre-Andean valleys.

Nests usually between December and February, but its in the northern breeding season is variable, depending on the rains. If the rainy season, usually arrive by the thousands to nest, but if it is a dry season usually does not show up for that zone. Apparently, these migrations to nest are very subordinate to their nutritional needs.

Usually nests in flocks of 10 to 20 couples in dense shrubs near streams. Like all Columbidae, builds a nest of sticks very light. Place two white eggs, average size of 29 x 21 mms.

Countries where lives Tortola Cordillerana

ARGENTINA     BOLIVIA     CHILE     PERU