Nicobar pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nicobar pigeon |
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| An adult Nicobar pigeon | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caloenas
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| Species: |
nicobarica
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| Synonyms | |
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Columba nicobarica Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The Nicobar pigeon or Nicobar dove (Caloenas nicobarica) is a beautiful bird with shiny, colorful feathers. It's also known as the Nicobar dove. You can find these pigeons on small islands and along the coasts from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India, all the way east through the Indonesian Archipelago, to the Solomons and Palau.
This pigeon is the only living member of its group, called Caloenas. Its closest living relatives are the extinct dodo and Rodrigues solitaire, which were also unique birds.
Contents
About the Nicobar Pigeon's Family Tree
In 1738, a naturalist named Eleazar Albin first drew and described the Nicobar pigeon. Later, in 1758, the famous Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus gave it its scientific name, Columba nicobarica. He grouped it with other pigeons.
Much later, in 1840, an English zoologist named George Robert Gray created a new group, or genus, called Caloenas, just for the Nicobar pigeon. This is where it stays today.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of Nicobar pigeons:
- C. n. nicobarica: Found from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands across the Malay Archipelago to New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.
- C. n. pelewensis: Found only on Palau Island.
Scientists have studied the Nicobar pigeon's DNA to understand its family tree. They found that it is the closest living relative to the extinct dodo and Rodrigues solitaire. These two famous birds were also pigeons, but they looked very different because they couldn't fly.
A cladogram is like a family tree for animals. This one shows how the Nicobar pigeon is related to other unique pigeons:
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This shows that the Nicobar pigeon, the dodo, and the Rodrigues solitaire are very closely related. They all belong to a group of pigeons that lived on islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Scientists have also found bones of other extinct pigeons in the Caloenas group.
- The Kanaka pigeon (C. canacorum) was found on New Caledonia and Tonga. It was bigger than the Nicobar pigeon. It likely became extinct because early human settlers hunted it for food.
- The Spotted green pigeon (C. maculata) is another extinct species. It probably disappeared in the 1800s, possibly due to rats brought by European ships.
What Does the Nicobar Pigeon Look Like?
The Nicobar pigeon is a large bird, about 40 centimeters (16 inches) long.
- Its head is grey.
- The feathers on its upper neck are long and shiny, turning green and copper.
- Its tail is very short and pure white.
- The rest of its body feathers are a beautiful metallic green.
- Its dark beak has a small black bump at the top.
- Its strong legs and feet are dull red.
- Its eyes are dark.
Female Nicobar pigeons are a little smaller than males. They have a smaller bump on their beak and shorter neck feathers. Their belly feathers are also a bit browner. Young birds have a black tail and are not as shiny or colorful.
Even the subspecies from Palau, C. n. pelewensis, looks almost the same. It just has slightly shorter neck feathers.
These pigeons are quite noisy. They make a low, repeated call.
Where Do Nicobar Pigeons Live?
Nicobar pigeons live on islands and coastal areas across a wide range. This includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India, the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar, islands off Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and many small islands between Sumatra, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands. The special subspecies C. n. pelewensis lives only on Palau.
One of the most important places for Nicobar pigeons is Batti Malv, a small island in the Nicobar Islands. It's a remote wildlife sanctuary. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused a lot of damage there. However, the island's plants have grown back, showing nature's amazing ability to recover.
Nicobar Pigeons in Australia?
Sometimes, Nicobar pigeons are found far from their usual homes. In 2017, one was seen in Western Australia. It was reported to officials because it was so unusual. Another one was found in 2023 on Green Island off Cairns. These sightings are rare and show how far these birds can sometimes travel.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
Nicobar pigeons travel in groups from island to island. They usually sleep on small islands offshore where there are no predators. During the day, they fly to larger islands to find food. They are not afraid to be near people.
Their diet includes seeds, fruit, and buds. They are also attracted to places where grains are available. They have a special gizzard stone that helps them grind up hard food.
Their flight is fast and direct, like other pigeons. But unlike other pigeons, Nicobar pigeons often fly in a line or column, not in a scattered group. Their bright white tail is very noticeable when they fly, especially at dawn or dusk. It might act like a "taillight," helping the flock stay together when flying over the sea. Young birds don't have a white tail, which tells adult pigeons that they are still young and not ready to lead the flock.
These pigeons build their nests in thick forests on offshore islands. They often nest in large groups, forming colonies. Their nests are loosely built from sticks in trees. Females lay one egg, which is white with a faint blue tint.
Conservation
Nicobar pigeons face several threats. They are hunted for food and for their gizzard stones, which are used in jewellery. They are also caught and sold as pets. However, because they are listed under CITES Appendix I, it is against the law to trade them internationally.
Zoos around the world often have Nicobar pigeons because they are so attractive and unusual. These zoos can breed the birds they need, so they don't have to be taken from the wild.
Even though hunting and the pet trade are problems, the biggest threat to Nicobar pigeons is the loss of their nesting places. The small offshore islands they need are often cleared for farms, built on, or polluted by nearby industries and harbors. Also, more travel to these islands means that predators, like rats, are introduced to their breeding sites. This can cause pigeon colonies to leave or be destroyed.
While the Nicobar pigeon is found in many places and is still quite common in some areas (like Palau, where there are an estimated 1,000 adult birds), its future is becoming more uncertain. Because of these threats, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists the Nicobar pigeon as a near threatened species. This means they are close to becoming endangered if their habitat continues to shrink.
Gallery
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Painting by Henrik Grønvold
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An adult at the Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens with iridescent scapulars
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Close up of the head
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The white tail is the most conspicuous feature of adult Nicobar pigeons, particularly when seen at a distance in the twilight.
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Nicobar pigeon in a U.S. zoo
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Nicobar pigeon at Munich Zoo Hellabrunn
