Buru mountain pigeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buru mountain pigeon |
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Gymnophaps
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mada
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The Buru mountain pigeon (Gymnophaps mada) is a type of pigeon. It belongs to the pigeon family called Columbidae. This bird lives only on Buru island in Indonesia. It makes its home in montane forests (mountain forests) and also in disturbed lowland forests.
This pigeon is medium-sized, about 33–38.5 cm|in|abbr=on long. It has a blue-grey head and neck. Its upper body is a darker slate-grey. The throat and chest are white or pale pink, becoming more pink towards its belly. Male and female Buru mountain pigeons look a little different. Females are usually smaller and have more dark red on their chest.
The Buru mountain pigeon eats mostly fruit. It is thought to breed between October and December. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists this pigeon as a species of least concern. This means it is not currently in danger. Its population is stable and its home range is large enough. There are an estimated 20,000–49,999 of these birds.
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How the Buru Mountain Pigeon Got Its Name
The Buru mountain pigeon was first described in 1899. A German ornithologist (a scientist who studies birds) named Ernst Hartert gave it the name Columba mada. He studied birds from Mount Mada on Buru island.
Later, in 1937, another scientist named James L. Peters placed this pigeon in the Gymnophaps group. This group includes other mountain pigeons.
The name Gymnophaps comes from ancient Greek words. Gumnos means bare, and phaps means pigeon. The second part of its scientific name, mada, comes from Mount Mada. This is the place where the first pigeon specimen was found. The official common name for this bird is the Buru mountain pigeon.
Relatives of the Buru Mountain Pigeon
The Buru mountain pigeon is one of four species in the Gymnophaps group. These pigeons live in Melanesia and the Maluku Islands. All the pigeons in this group are very closely related.
The Seram mountain pigeon used to be considered the same species as the Buru mountain pigeon. But in 2007, scientists noticed differences in their looks. So, they decided to split them into two separate species. The Buru mountain pigeon now has no subspecies. This means there are no different types of Buru mountain pigeons.
What the Buru Mountain Pigeon Looks Like
The Buru mountain pigeon is a medium-sized bird. It has a slim body, long wings, and a long tail. It measures about 33–38.5 cm|in|abbr=on long.
Adult males have a blue-grey crown (top of the head), nape (back of the neck), and hindneck. Their upperparts (back and wings) are a slightly shiny dark slate-grey. The long flight feathers on their wings and tail are greenish-black. The tips of these feathers have thin pale edges.
The face, throat, and upper chest are white to pale pink. The belly is a buff-pink color. The feathers on the upper legs are pale buff. The bird's eye is grey, pale brown, or yellow, with a red or orange outer ring. Its beak is yellowish with a red base. The legs are purplish to brownish-red.
Differences Between Males and Females
The Buru mountain pigeon shows slight sexual dimorphism. This means males and females look a little different. Females are usually smaller than males. They also have more dark red on their chest. Their beaks and ceres (the fleshy part above the beak) are dark blackish-red.
Young Pigeons
Young Buru mountain pigeons (juveniles) have browner upperparts. Their throat and chest have dusky (dark) spots. Their belly is more ochre (yellowish-brown). They also have a grey beak with a white tip, a dull red cere, and dull red legs.
Pigeon Sounds
Scientists do not know much about the Buru mountain pigeon's calls. It is likely silent most of the time, just like other Gymnophaps pigeons.
Where the Buru Mountain Pigeon Lives
The Buru mountain pigeon lives only on Buru island in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. It mainly lives in hills and montane forests (mountain forests). Sometimes, it visits lowland disturbed forests to find food.
These birds have been seen at different heights, from sea level up to 2,060 m|ft|abbr=on. However, they mostly live between 650–1,760 m|ft|abbr=on high in the mountains.
How the Buru Mountain Pigeon Behaves
Buru mountain pigeons are usually seen alone or in pairs. From October to December, they might form small groups of up to 11 birds. At other times of the year, they can form larger groups.
They sleep high up in the mountains. In the morning, they fly down to the lowlands to find food. Then, they return to their mountain sleeping spots in the evening. These pigeons are frugivorous, meaning they eat fruit. They most likely find fruit in the tops of trees. They have also been seen visiting fruit trees near the coast. The breeding season for these birds is thought to be from October to December.
Status of the Buru Mountain Pigeon
The Buru mountain pigeon is listed as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is because it has a large enough home range and its population is stable.
In 1989, it was estimated that there were about 43,000 Buru mountain pigeons. Today, the population is estimated to be between 20,000 and 49,999 birds. The mountain forests where they live are mostly untouched. This means the species does not face many big threats right now.
