Pink Pigeon 2891774 224664116 2008-07-09T21:38:41Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{Taxobox | name = Pink Pigeon | status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | image = Pink Pigeon Image 004.jpg | image_width = 160px | ordo = [[Columbiformes]] | familia = [[Columbidae]] | genus = '' [[Nesoenas]]'' | species = '''''N. mayeri''''' | binomial = ''Columba mayeri'' | binomial_authority = [[Florent Prévost|Prevost]], 1843 | binomial2 = ''Streptopelia mayeri'' | binomial2_authority = [[Johnson et al]], 2001 | binomial3 = ''Nesoenas mayeri'' | binomial3_authority = Cheke, 2005 }} The '''Pink Pigeon''', ''Columba (formerly Nesoenas) mayeri'', is a species of [[Columbidae]] (doves and pigeons) endemic to [[Mauritius]], and now very rare. It was on the brink of extinction in 1991 (only 10 individuals remained) but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of [[Gerald Durrell]] and the [[Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust]] in the 1960s. The book ''Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons'' by [[Gerald Durrell]] refers to the conservation efforts. The [[IUCN]] has recently downlisted the species from ''critically endangered'' to ''endangered'' on the [[IUCN Red List]] in 2006. [[Mauritius]] has brought out a series of stamps depicting the endemic Pink Pigeon. ==Description== An adult pigeon is about 32 [[Metre#SI multiples|cm]] from beak to tail and 350 [[gram]] in weight. Pink pigeons have pale pink plumage on their head, shoulders and underside, along with pink feet and pink beak. They have dark brown wings, and a broad, reddish-brown tail. They have dark brown eyes surrounded by a ring of red skin. Newly hatched pigeons have sparse, downy-white feathers and closed eyes. These pigeons have a very strange mating call a sort of coo-cooo with a twittering finish ==Phylogeny== Initially classified as a true pigeon, it was re-classified in a monotypic genus by [[Tommaso Salvadori]]. Recent DNA analyses suggests its nearest neighbour on the phylogenetic tree is the geographically close [[Madagascar Turtle Dove]] (''Streptopelia picturata''), and has thus been placed in the ''[[Streptopelia]]'' genus, which mostly contains turtle doves. However, the two species form a distinct group that cannot unequivocally be assigned to either ''Streptopelia'' or ''Columba'', and indeed, placing the ''two'' species in ''Nesoenas'' may best reflect the fact that they seem to belong to a distinct evolutionary lineage (Johnson ''et al.'', 2001). ==Range== <!-- Image with questionable fair-use claim removed: [[Image:Pinkpigeonstamp.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Mauritius]] Pink Pigeon stamps]] --> It is only found in the [[Mascarene]] island of [[Mauritius]], a [[Réunion Pink Pigeon|related form]] having become extinct in the neighbouring larger [[Reunion Island]]. <!--- It is also found in the tiny [[Isle Aux Aigrettes]] to the South-East. <- Is this correct? --> On [[Mauritius]], it is found in patches of forest in the National Park region of the southwest, as well on Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve off the southeast coast of [[Mauritius]]. Further plans for released populations in the east coast mountains are under way. ==Habitat== It prefers upland evergreen forests, but is equally at home in coastal forest as long as the vegetation is natural and not smothered by introduced species, such as [[Guava]] or privet. Destruction of these forests have been a major reason for its decline. ==Habits== ====Feeding Habits==== It feeds on native plants - by consuming buds, flowers, leaves, shoots, fruits and seeds. Non-native species like [[Guava]] pose a threat to it by preventing growth of native trees. It does supplement its diet at feeding stations manned by conservation officials. ====Social Habits==== They feed and roost in small flocks, and often mutual preen each other when in pairs. ====Breeding Habits==== The breeding season starts in August-September, although birds may breed all year round. The male courts the female with a "step and bow" display. Mating is generally monogamous, with the pair making a flimsy platform nest and defending a small area around it (even though the pigeons initially had no natural predators). The female usually lays 2 white eggs, and incubation duration is 2 weeks. The male incubates during the day, and the female during night and early day. Males remain fertile till 17 - 18 years of age, females till 10 - 11 years of age. [[Image:Pink Pigeon.jpg|thumb|Pair of Pink Pigeons]] ====Rearing Young==== 1 - 7 days: Chicks eyes closed, fed entirely on [[crop milk]]. 7 - 10 days: Chicks undergo a dietary transformation to solid food. 2 - 4 weeks: Chicks fledge, but are parent-fed. 4 - 6/7 weeks: Chicks remain in the nest. After this the chicks leave the nest. ==Demography and Longevity== Due to habitat destruction, and non-native predators, the population had dropped to 10 in 1991. The captive breeding and reintroduction program initiated and supported by the [[Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust]], and largely carried out by the [[Mauritian Wildlife Foundation]] (MWF) has resulted in a stable population of about 360 in the wild in 2005 - of which about 75 are located on the small offshore island reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes (source: Vikash Tatayah, MWF Nov 2005) - as well as a healthy captive population as backup. There are more males than females in a population due to greater life expectancy of the male (about 5 years more). The average life expectancy upper bound is estimated at 17 - 18 years. ==References== * Johnson, Kevin P.; de Kort, Selvino; Dinwoodey, Karen, Mateman, A. C.; ten Cate, Carel; Lessells, C. M. & Clayton, Dale H. (2001): A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera ''Streptopelia'' and ''Columba''. [[Auk (journal)|Auk]] '''118'''(4): 874-887. [http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kjohnson/kpj_pdfs/Auk.2001.pdf PDF fulltext] *''The Mauritius Pink Pigeon Report''. Durrell Wildife Conservation Trust, 2001. ==External links== *[http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2497&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet] *[http://www.redlist.org/info/images/gallery2006/Nesoenas_mayeri-Kirsty_Swinnerton.jpg Photograph of pink pigeon on IUCN website] [[Category:Streptopelia]] [[Category:Aviculture]] [[Category:Fauna of the Mascarenes]] [[Category:Fauna of Mauritius]] [[de:Rosa Taube]] [[eo:Rozkolora turto]] [[fr:Pigeon rose]] [[it:Nesoenas mayeri]] [[uk:Рожевий голуб]]