Maiden pigeon

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Maiden pigeon
male maiden pigeon (Alopecoenas xanthonurus)

male maiden pigeon ( Alopecoenas xanthonurus )

Systematics
Sub-stem : Vertebrates (vertebrata)
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Pigeon birds (Columbiformes)
Family : Pigeons (Columbidae)
Genre : Indo-Pacific earth pigeons ( Alopecoenas )
Type : Maiden pigeon
Scientific name
Alopecoenas xanthonurus
( Temminck , 1823)
female maiden pigeon ( Alopecoenas xanthonura )

The maiden pigeon ( Alopecoenas xanthonurus , syn .: Gallicolumba xanthonura ), also called the Mariana earth pigeon , is a species of pigeon birds. It occurs exclusively on a few smaller islands in Southeast Asia. The species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN . A reliable estimate of the stock figures is not available, but stocks are declining. On some islands of the distribution area the maiden pigeon is endangered by the Boiga irregularis introduced there .

Appearance

The maiden pigeon reaches a body size of 26 centimeters. It is about the size of a laughing pigeon, but has the compact body shape that is characteristic of Indo-Pacific earth pigeons. A gender dimorphism is present.

In the males, the head, neck and front chest are white with a salmon pink tint. This pink shade is a little more intense on the top of the head, on the nape of the neck and on the back of the neck. A purple stripe runs across the upper coat. The coat, the back and the wings are dark olive-brown and have a bronze-colored shine. There are purple spots on the middle wing covers. On the underside of the body, the belly is dark gray. The feathers here have yellow-brown edges. The tail feathers are brown-gray with black ends. The iris is brown, the dark circles are light yellow, and the feet are red.

The females differ from the males by a golden brown forehead and a golden brown upper head. The top is lighter and more yellowish olive brown to bronze green. The neck, lower chest and belly are yellow-brown. The iris is gray to brown, the dark circles are gray.

Distribution area and habitat

The maiden pigeon is an endemic species to the Mariana Islands . It occurs there on the islands of Guam , Rota , Agiguan, Tinian and Saipan . It is also common on the island of Yap . The population is declining in the entire distribution area.

The maiden pigeon lives in forests, plantations and other tree-lined habitats . The stand density is highest in primary forests.

behavior

The maiden pigeon is occasionally observed individually. However, they usually live in pairs. The maiden pigeon is very shy, especially the females hide in the foliage of the treetops. Young pigeons rarely come on the ground. They probably do this primarily to pick up small stones. The food spectrum of the maiden pigeon includes fruits, seeds and flowers. The nest is built high in trees.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ BirdLife Factsheet , accessed October 23, 2014
  2. ↑ Gibbs, p. 408
  3. ↑ Rösler, p. 237

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 .

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