Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon
Columba elphinstonii
Uncommon smooth gray pigeon with dark rusty-red wings. Black-and-white barred neck pattern only visible if seen well. Inhabits wet forests in hilly and montane areas, where it typically forages quietly up in the canopy; occasionally descends down to feed on the ground. Occasionally gives low sonorous coos.
Identification
This pigeon appears dark grey and a black and white patterned patch made of white tipped stiff feathers on the back of the neck is distinctive. The mantle is chestnut. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. The most confusable other species is the mountain imperial pigeon but that species has paler underwing coverts. The feet and the base of the bill are red.<p>The species is evolutionarily close to the Ceylon woodpigeon Columba torringtoni and the ashy wood pigeon Columba pulchricollis which form a clade that is basal within the Old World genus Columba. The binomial commemorates Mountstuart Elphinstone (1779–1859).
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Columba elphinstonii
- Authority
- (Sykes, 1832)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Columba
Range and habitat
The species is mainly found along the Western Ghats and in the Nilgiri Hills. Although found mainly in the hills, it is sometimes seen at lower elevations within the Western Ghats. A few relict populations survive on the high elevations hills of the peninsula such as the Biligirirangan Hills and Nandi Hills near Bangalore.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Nilgiri wood pigeons are usually seen singly, in pairs or in small groups, feeding almost entirely in the trees but sometimes descending to the ground to forage on fallen fruits. Although feeding mainly on fruits they have been recorded taking small snails and other invertebrates. The breeding season is March to July during which time they make a flimsy platform of twigs and lay a single white egg which is usually visible from below the nest. They feed on large fruit and may play an important role in dispersal of the seeds of many forest trees. Fruit of the family Lauraceae are particularly favoured and most of their food is gathered by gleaning on the outer twigs of the middle and upper canopy. They have been recorded ingesting soil that may provide mineral nutrients or aid digestion. They often make movements within the forest according to the fruiting seasons of their favourite trees. Their call is a loud langur-like low-frequency hooting "who" followed by a series of deep "who-who-who" notes.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus
Slender gull-like seabird; the smallest of the three jaegers. Breeds on Arctic tundra; spends the rest of the year at sea. Difficult to separate from other jaegers, especially Parasitic. Breeding adults have an exceptionally long, pointed tail. Also note uniform brownish back contrasting with dark flight feathers, limited clean black cap, and pale yellow on the side of the neck. Immature birds have an attractive scaly pattern on wings and vary from dark brown to a pale grayish white. At all ages, note buoyant, tern-like flight. Typically shows white shafts only on two outermost wing feathers (fewer than other jaegers). Bill is shorter and proportionally thicker than other jaegers. Jaegers chase other birds and steal their food.
Pitcairn Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus vaughani
A large cold-toned warbler with grayish-brown upperparts, yellowish-buff underparts, and variably white wings and tail. Irregular whitening of wings and tail give it a messy appearance. Found primarily in patches of tall forest, avoiding open areas. Voice is a harsh, scolding “chak, chak.” Does not sing.
Swallow-tailed Manakin
Chiroxiphia caudata
A very common inhabitant of humid forests. Small chunky manakin with elongated central tail feathers. Males are unmistakable with their blue bodies, black wings and head, and red crown. Females are uniformly green with a dark eye and pale legs and bill. Very noisy at the display lek where males can be heard from a long way off delivering soft “kua-a-a-a” notes.
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