Pheasant Pigeon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the breed of domestic pigeons, see Pheasant pigeon (breed).
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 White Naped Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis in a zoo aviary
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| Otidiphaps nobilis Gould, 1870 |
The Pheasant Pigeon (Otidiphaps nobilis ) is a pigeon found in the primary rainforests of New Guinea. It ranges primarily over hilly and lower mountain areas, but can also be found in lowland areas.
The pheasant pigeon is an unusual pigeon of uncertain affinities within the Columbidae, and is monotypic within the genus Otidiphaps (Gould, 1870), and the sub-family Otidiphabinae. Its scientific name makes reference to its similarities to the bustard family, while its common name reflects its adaptation to living on the forest floor in the fashion of a South East Asian pheasant, which it resembles in external morphology, particularly in its laterally compressed tail and the rounded wings. No galliform birds occur in New Guinea and the pheasant pigeon has filled the ecological niche of a partridge or small pheasant, while the larger Goura crowned pigeons have a lifestyle similar to larger pheasants, grouse or turkey. It is a highly secretive species, feeding on seeds and fallen fruits. It nests on the ground below trees and bushes, laying one egg that it incubates for around 4 weeks.
It is not currently considered threatened, although it has become locally extinct in some areas. Because it is tied to primary forests, and is unique within the pigeon family, it is considered a species that requires further investigation and monitoring.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Otidiphaps nobilis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- del Hoyo, Elliott and Sargatal (editors); Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol 4. ISBN 84-87334-22-9
[edit] Gallery
 Pheasant Pigeon at the Bronx Zoo |
