Andaman Cuckoo-Dove
Macropygia rufipennis
A slim, long-tailed dove with small head and legs. Rust-colored throughout with faint barring around the neck and breast. Common but inconspicuous in forests and along forest edges, where birds feed on fruits and berries. Known to feed on the ground, but usually sticks closer to the canopy. The call is a thin, low, double-noted “whoo-whup.”
Identification
It is characterized by its slim build, small head, long tail, and rust color throughout its body. The call of the Andaman cuckoo-dove is a repeat of the double-noted “whoo-whup.” The first note is slurred and the second is shorter and more pitched.
Taxonomy
Genus: Macropygia; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.
- Scientific name
- Macropygia rufipennis
- Authority
- Blyth, 1846
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Macropygia
Range and habitat
The Andaman Cuckoo-Dove lives in heavy evergreen and secondary forests. They are commonly found yet hidden in forests, along forest edges, and typically remain closer to the canopy. They have a high forest dependence and normally occur at altitudes that range from 0 to 100 meters. These species are endemic to India and distributed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of these cuckoo-dove species are Nicobar, Nancowry and Trinkat.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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