Grenada dove

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grenada dove
Grenadadove1.jpg

Grenada dove ( Leptotila wellsi )

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Sounding pigeons ( Leptotila )
Type : Grenada dove
Scientific name
Leptotila wellsi
( Lawrence , 1884)

The Grenada Dove ( Leptotila wellsi ), also corrugated pigeon called, is a type of pigeon birds . The species occurs exclusively in Grenada . It was considered one of the most endangered recent pigeon species in the world.

Appearance

The Grenada Pigeon reaches a body length of up to 31 centimeters. The head is predominantly pale pink, only the top of the head is dull brown. The neck plumage is yellow-brown with a slight pink tinge. The throat is white. The breast is pinkish-brown. Belly and under tail-covers are white. The coat as well as the back and the wings are olive-brown. The beak is dark gray. The iris is yellow-brown with blue circles under the eyes. The feet and legs are crimson.

Distribution and existence

The Grenada Pigeon is a little-known species that is endemic to the island of Grenada in the Caribbean. It occurs here at altitudes of up to 150 meters in dry forest areas with thorn bushes . She prefers the areas that have both a largely closed canopy and a mixture of open terrain and dense vegetation.

The Grenada Pigeon also occurred in historical times on islands that were in the coastal waters of Grenada. The population of the species has probably never been high. Due to development measures and the associated habitat changes, the grenade dove became increasingly rare. In 1977 it was already extinct in the north of the island and only occurred in the west and south-west of the island. It is certain that the species decreased by about 50 percent between 1987 and 1991. In 1998 there were only about 100 grenade pigeons left. By 2003/2004, the population had recovered to around 182 individuals. However, Hurricane Ivan , which struck the island in 2004, also had a devastating impact on the population. The population decreased to 136 individuals. In 2007 the total population was estimated to be around 100 sexually mature birds. The number of males in such relic populations tends to be higher and higher, so that about 30 breeding pairs capable of reproduction are assumed.

behavior

Very little is known about the way of life and the reproductive behavior of the Grenada Pigeon. It is considered to be a ground-dwelling species that mainly lives on fruits and berries . Up until now only one nest of grenade pigeons has been observed outdoors. The nest was occupied from January to February and was found in a pigeon. Fledglings have been observed on the ground and photographed by Forestry and National Parks Department staff . A nest was not found.

Due to the higher calling activity of the grenade pigeons from June to December, it is assumed that the breeding season falls within this period. But there are also observations that point to differences in behavior between the populations in the west of the island and those in the southeast. On the west coast, the calls of the grenade dove can be heard all year round. On the southwest coast, the frequency of calls seems to be influenced by the season.

Grenada doves were probably bred in England in 1926 . The couple killed conspecifics who were placed in the aviary. In contrast, the pigeons behaved peacefully towards other pigeon species. When rearing the nestlings, the parent birds fed a relatively high proportion of animal food. However, it is not entirely certain whether the pigeons kept were actually grenade pigeons and not white- forehead pigeons .

Causes of the stock decline and protective measures

The destruction of the habitat of this forest-dwelling pigeon is considered a major factor in the decline in the population . The main reasons for this are the conversion of forest areas into settlement and agricultural areas, grazing by livestock and increased logging to collect firewood. Hunting by humans is no longer considered to be a major threat to the population. The pigeon was hunted more heavily in the past. However, the introduction of mammals has an impact on the population size . The south opossum was introduced by the indigenous peoples of Grenada . This species threatens the grenade pigeon in all life stages. The dwarf pouch rats , which were also introduced during this period, are potential nest predators. European settlers introduced a number of other species that are also predators of the Grenada Dove. These include the little mongoose , monkey cats , rats and domestic cats .

The government of Grenada, in partnership with the World Bank, established two protected areas in 1996 to help conserve this species. One sanctuary is in the west of the island (Perseverance and Woodford Estates) and another on the Mount Hartman Estate in the south. Parts of this protected area have national park status, so that further interventions in this habitat are at least legally prohibited. About 50 percent of the total population may live in the area of ​​the Mount Hartman Estate. Around 2006, however, plans by the government became known to revoke the protection status of the property, an old and very large cattle ranch in one of the most beautiful and least built-up areas of Grenada, and to transfer it, together with the surrounding area, to the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts consortium for sale. The construction of more than 200 villas, 100 hotel buildings and an 18-hole golf course were planned on the site. In November 2006, the government, together with Four Seasons, presented a controversial environmental report, which was questioned by environmental protection organizations, in which alternative development proposals were neither discussed nor mapped the grenade pigeon districts. While this environmental report was still being discussed, parts of the site were bulldozed.

The actions of the government of Grenada and Four Seasons were discussed in the international press and led to the fact that an exact inventory was finally commissioned. The result of this investigation was that more than half of the remaining population lived in the region around Mount Hartman and that the original development plans would have significant consequences for the pigeon population. A compromise was finally agreed. The planned development was somewhat reduced in scope. The boundaries of the national park were cut so that 50 of the 58 known pigeon territories were in this area. Replacement areas were also planned, which should be reforested in such a way that they would provide a habitat for the pigeons. The Grenada government also committed itself to the establishment of a national park on the west coast, where at least seven Grenada robbers lived. Four Seasons funded an imported mammal capture program to increase the reproductive rate of the Grenada Pigeon.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Birdlife Fact Sheet on the Grenada Pigeon , accessed on May 15, 2009
  2. ↑ Rösler, p. 213
  3. ^ Couzon, p. 186
  4. ^ Couzon, p. 187
  5. ^ Birdlife Fact Sheet , accessed May 15, 2000
  6. ↑ Rösler, p. 213
  7. ↑ BirdLife Factsheet Press Release on Mount Hartman Estate Development Plans , accessed May 16, 2009
  8. ^ Couzon, p. 157
  9. ↑ Couzon, pp. 158-159
  10. ^ Couzon, p. 159
  11. ^ Couzon, p. 159

Web link