| Viti Levu Giant Pigeon | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Natunaornis T. H. Worthy, 2001 |
| Species: | N. gigoura |
| Binomial name | |
| Natunaornis gigoura T. H. Worthy, 2001 |
|
| Former range (in red) | |
The Viti Levu Giant Pigeon (Natunaornis gigoura) was a flightless pigeon, only slightly smaller than the dodo (Raphus cucullatus) and Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria).
The monotypic genus Natunaornis is named after Natuna, the oldest chief of the Volivoli people in the Sigatoka Valley, wherein the fossil bones of the type species were first found.[1] The scientific specific name reflects the large size of this fossil species and its proposed affinities to the crowned pigeons Goura. Remains of this species were discovered in October 1998 at Viti Levu, the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. Its first description was published in 2001 by T.H. Worthy.[1] The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[2]