Marquesan Imperial-pigeon
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| Marquesan Imperial-pigeon | ||||||||||||||
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| Ducula galeata (Bonaparte, 1855) |
The Marquesan Imperial-pigeon or Nukuhiva Pigeon (Ducula galeata) is a pigeon which is endemic to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. This pigeon is only found in some valleys in the western part of that island. This is the largest pigeon outside of the crowned pigeons, weighing 900 grams (2 lb) and measuring about 52 cm (21 in).
Formerly classified by the IUCN as a critically endangered species with an estimated population of less than 150 adult birds[1], it was suspected to be more numerous than generally assumed. Following the evaluation of its population status, this was found to be correct, and it is consequently downlisted to Endangered status in 2008; it is still an exceedingly rare bird, but successful conservation measures have averted the threat of immediate extinction at least for the time being[2].
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (BLI) (2004). Ducula galeata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
- BirdLife International (BLI) (2008): [2008 IUCN Redlist status changes]. Retrieved 2008-MAY-23.
[edit] External links
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