Pheasant pigeon

Pheasant pigeon
O. aruensis at the Cincinnati Zoo
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Otidiphaps Gould, 1870
Species:	O. nobilis
Binomial name
Otidiphaps nobilis Gould, 1870

The pheasant pigeon (Otidiphaps nobilis) is a genus of large terrestrial pigeon found in the primary rainforests of New Guinea and nearby islands. It ranges primarily over hilly and lower mountain areas, but can also be found in lowlands.

Taxonomy and systematics

There are four species, which differ primarily in the presence or absence of a small crest and in the colour of the nape. The two best known are the western nominate (O. nobilis) with a greenish nape and O. aruensis from the Aru Islands with a white nape. The two remaining species, O. cervicalis from the eastern part of its range and O. insularis from Fergusson Island, have a grey nape and a black nape (concolour with the remaining black neck) respectively.

Description

The pheasant pigeon is an unusual pigeon of uncertain affinities within the Columbidae, within the genus Otidiphaps (Gould, 1870), and the subfamily Otidiphabinae. Its scientific name makes reference to its similarities to the bustard family (Otidae). 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 turkeys). 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 four weeks.

• 
  O. nobilis
• 
  O. nobilis in a zoo
• 
  O. insularis

Status and conservation

The nominate subspecies and O. cervicalis are not considered threatened, although O. insularis qualifies as Endangered, and O. aruensis qualifies as Vulnerable. Because it is tied to primary forests, and is unique within the pigeon family, it is considered a genus that requires further investigation and monitoring.

References

• del Hoyo, Elliott and Sargatal (editors); Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol 4. ISBN 84-87334-22-9

External links

• Pheasant Pigeon (Otidiphaps nobilis) is being split: list O. insularis as Endangered and O. aruensis as Vulnerable?

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