Baker fruit pigeon

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Baker fruit pigeon
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Large fruit pigeons ( Ducula )
Type : Baker fruit pigeon
Scientific name
Ducula bakeri
( Kinnear , 1928)

The Baker fruit pigeon ( Ducula bakeri ) is a species of pigeon birds. It occurs exclusively on Vanuatu . The species is classified as endangered ( vulnerable ) by the IUCN . The population is estimated to be less than 10,000 birds.

Appearance

The Baker fruit pigeon can reach a height of up to 40 centimeters. It is about the size of a wood pigeon. Compared to this species, the wings are more rounded and shorter in relation to the body size. There is no noticeable gender dimorphism. The females are only slightly more dull in color and are usually slightly smaller than the males.

The Baker fruit pigeon has a dark blue-gray head that is clearly set off from the dark purple plumage of the neck and chest. The front of the head and the throat are a little lighter. The belly is maroon. The under tail-coverts are strong red-brown. The coat, back and tail are dark slate gray with a silvery sheen. The beak is dark gray. The iris is conspicuously two-colored; The inner ring is yellow while the outer ring is orange-red. The feet are red.

Distribution, habitat and existence

The Vanuatu archipelago extends over 1,300 km of the South Pacific and is part of Melanesia . It is made up of 83 islands, mostly of volcanic origin. Few of these islands are of a size that makes them significant. One of the largest is Espiritu Santo , on which the Baker fruit pigeon occurs. Other populated islands are Ambae , Ambrym , Gaua , Maéwo , Pentecost Island , Ureparapara and Vanua Lava . The Baker fruit pigeon is a rare pigeon in the entire range.

The species is considered endangered because parts of the Vanatua Islands are being largely converted into agricultural land. The Pentecost Island is a relatively densely populated island on the increasingly Piper methysticum is grown. The Baker fruit pigeon is one of the largest edible birds on Vanuatu and is therefore popularly hunted even though it is legally protected. The Baker fruit pigeon, however, is a shy pigeon that lives mainly in mountain forests. Mostly heights over 600 meters are settled.

behavior

The Baker fruit pigeon lives mostly singly or in pairs. Small flocks of up to six birds occasionally gather in trees that are very abundant in fruit. It usually stays in the upper area of ​​the treetops and occasionally uses undergrowth when individual bushes bear fruit there. It is a very shy species that often only reveals itself through its shouts. These are a loud, far-echoing twoo-too-too-too-too . The Baker fruit pigeon lives partly nomadically and migrates long distances on the larger islands in order to find fruit-bearing trees. Nothing is known about the reproductive biology of this species.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ BirdLife Factsheet , accessed June 29, 2009
  2. ↑ Rösler, p. 303
  3. ↑ Gibbs, p. 557

literature

  • David Gibbs, Eustace Barnes and John Cox: Pigeons and Doves - A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World . Pica Press, Sussex 2001, ISBN 90-74345-26-3 .
  • Alois Münst and Josef Wolters: Tauben - The species of wild pigeons , 2nd expanded and revised edition, Verlag Karin Wolters, Bottrop 1999, ISBN 3-9801504-9-6 .
  • Gerhard Rösler: The wild pigeons of the earth - free living, keeping and breeding . Verlag M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld Hannover 1996, ISBN 3-7944-0184-0 .

Web links