PORTRAIT OF AN AFRICAN GREEN PIGEON

I think I first became aware of African Green Pigeons in the Kruger National Park. It was only in 2004 that I became aware of them clambering about in the Natal fig tree in our garden. Since then I have observed large flocks of them congregating there at various times of the year. Despite their beautiful colouring, they are not easy birds to see. Even if you happen to spot them – especially in the late afternoon, when the lowering sun highlights them in the top branches – they tend to be rather too high up to photograph, or they disappear into the foliage within seconds of you training your lens on them!

I have published pictures of these very attractive birds now and then, such as this one, which shows off its yellow thighs and gives one an idea of its unique green and grey plumage as well as its distinctively bright eye.

I seldom get to photograph the whole bird, yet I rather like this one of an African Green Pigeon catching the sun in a different tree and fluffed up against the cold.

I rather enjoy the benign look in its eye and the clear view of its pink and white bill. The mauve shoulder patch is partly hidden by a branch – of course – and blends into the olive green wing. The reddish feet are clearly visible too.

The large flocks have moved on, making me wonder what trees are fruiting now that the bounty of figs are over. A few of them still sun themselves in the Erythrina caffra and so I remain entertained by their array of croaks and soft chuckling sounds

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