Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae)

Stephan's Dove (Chalcophaps stephani) - HBW 4, p. 151

French: Colombine d'Étienne German: Stephantaube Spanish: Palomita Esmeralda Dorsiparda
Other common names: Brown-backed Emerald/Brown-backed Green-winged Dove

Taxonomy: Chalcophaps stephani Pucheran, 1853, Triton Bay, New Guinea.
Genus shows affinities to both Australian bronzewings (Phaps and allies) and African spotwinged doves (Turtur). Present species closely related to C. indica. Validity of race wallacei has been queried, but appears to be valid. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • wallacei Brüggemann, 1877 - Sulawesi and Sula Is (Taliabu).
  • stephani Pucheran, 1853 - Kai, Aru and W Papuan Is through New Guinea (with Yapen I and Karkar I) to Bismarck Archipelago (including Admiralty and Lihir Is) and D'Entrecasteaux Is .
  • mortoni E. P. Ramsay, 1882 - Solomon Is (Bougainville to San Cristobal and Santa Ana).

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