Nilgiri Wood-pigeon

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iNilgiri Woodpigeon
Nilgiri Woodpigeon Columba elphinsonii
Conservation status
Vulnerable (VU)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Genus: Columba Species: C. elphinstonii
Binomial name
Columba elphinstonii (Sykes, 1832)

The Nilgiri Woodpigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is a bird endemic to moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. They are identified in the field by the checkerboard pattern on their napes.

This pigeon species qualifies as vulnerable owing to its small, declining population, restricted range and widespread destruction of its forest habitat. [1] A few relict populations survive on the high altitude hills of the peninsula outside the Western Ghats formation including the Biligirirangan Hills and Nandi Hills near Bangalore.

The binomial commemorates the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone (1779-1859).

[edit] References

• BirdLife International (2004). Columba elphinstonii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used

1. Red Data Book Asia

[edit] External link

• Photograph of the bird