Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part II)–Pigeon (Continuation)

To continue the previous edition in the title “ Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 2)- Pigeon” , detail of each stamps  which  depicted the endemic pigeon species such as :  Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon (Ducula rubricera),  Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus solomonensis) ,  Claret-breasted Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus viridis),  Nicobar Pigeon    (Caloenas nicobarica),  Stephan's Emerald Dove    (Chalcophaps stephani) and  Crested Cuckoo-Dove   (Reinwardtoena crassirostris) described as follow :

 

Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon  (Ducula rubricera)

Ducula rubricera is widely distributed in Papua New Guinea and on nearly all forested islands in the Solomon Islands. Although it is still common where extensive forest remains, it is much rarer in degraded habitats.

It is a large robust pigeon ( 40 cm) with pale upper back, head, neck, throat and breast. Distinctive large reddish (occasionally yellowish) cere above bill. Wing-coverts iridescent emerald, bronzy or golden green with darker secondary and tail feathers tainted bluish.Primaries blackish-blue and  the color of under-wing is dull grey. The Legs are purplish-red.Juvenile resembles adult but lacking red cere.

It inhabits lowland rainforest up to the elevation of 500 m till 1,200 m. The population is estimated to be in the band 10,000-19,999 mature individuals, equating to 15,000-29,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 15,000-30,000 individuals. It is threatened by logging and forest conversion. This species is classified as Near Threatened.

Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove   ( Ptilinopus solomonensis)

The Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus solomonensis) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be locally common in parts of the range and possibly vulnerable in part of its range (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

 

Claret-breasted Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus viridis)

The Claret-breasted Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus viridis) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Nicobar Pigeon   ( Caloenas nicobarica)

The Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is a pigeon found on small islands and in coastal regions from the Nicobar Islands, east through the Malay Archipelago, to the Solomons and Palau. Nicobar Pigeon is the only living member of the genus Caloenas.

Nicobar Pigeon is a large pigeon, measuring 40 cm in length. The head is grey, like the upper neck plumage, which turns into green and copper hackles towards the breast. The breast and remiges are dark grey. The tail is very short and pure white. The rest of its plumage is metallic green. The cere of the dark bill forms a small blackish knob; the strong legs and feet are dull red. The irides are dark. Females are slightly smaller than males. They have a smaller bill knob, shorter hackles and browner underparts.

Nicobar Pigeons prefers uninhabited and remote islets with original forest vegetation up to at least 500 m, though these must be close enough to large areas of lowland rainforest which it requires for foraging. They are hunted in considerable numbers for food, and also for their gizzard stone which is used in jewelry. Its considered as a Near Threatened species.

Nicobar Pigeon’s food consists of seeds, fruit and buds, and it is attracted to areas where grain is available. A gizzard stone helps to grind up hard food items. Its flight is quick, with regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings, as is characteristic of pigeons in general.

 
Stephan's Emerald Dove    (Chalcophaps stephani)

The Stephan's Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps stephani) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.The species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Crested Cuckoo-Dove    (Reinwardtoena crassirostris)

Reinwardtoena    crassirostris    or     the 

Crested Cuckoo - Dove  is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. It is found in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Reinwardtoena crassirostris is a large pigeon endemic to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It occurs at relatively low densities and therefore the total population is believed to be small. It may be declining rapidly in the lowlands, although the hill populations are probably declining very slowly.

It inhabits primary forest in the hills to a maximum of 1,500 m, more usually to 1,000 m.It is most common in steep hills unsuitable for logging and usually feeds on Schefflera fruits which commonly grow in secondary growth (R. James in litt. 1999).

The lowland forests across the region are being extensively logged, causing a significant decline in this species; hunting is a minor additional threat.Its to be considered  as Near Threatened species.