Pigeons are
very widely distributed birds, and probably most people associate them with
cities and the fact that they can carry a ton of diseases. However, they are a
whole family and are found in all kinds of habitats, so let's dive right into
the most unique-looking breeds from around the world!
Pink-Necked
Green Pigeon
They are
found in South-east Asia, most commonly in Myanmar, Vietnam, and the major
islands of Indonesia and the Philippines. These medium-sized pigeons eat mostly
fruits, in particular figs. They have adapted well to human intervention and
live in cities if there are fruit trees, and only males have pink-colored
necks, which is where their name comes from.
The
Nicobar Pigeon
The Nicobar
pigeon is most famous for being the closest relative of the extinct dodo and
also being the only living member of its genus. It’s found on islands south of
India, all the way to Indonesia and nearby islands. Their diet mostly consists
of seeds and fruits, but they also eat small insects once in a while.
Victoria
Crowned Pigeon
They are named
after the British monarch, Queen Victoria, and are one of the four unique
ground-living pigeons of its genus. Native to the New Guinea region, they are
easily distinguished by the red irises, white tips on their crests, and deep
'whooping' sounds. Similar to the Nicobar pigeons, they feed on fallen fruits,
berries, seeds, and small insects.
African-green
pigeon
As the name
may suggest, these parakeet-looking pigeons are found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
They not only look like parrots but also have a similar climbing ability that
allows them to reach fruits and rarely forage on the ground. They live in the
savannahs, woodlands, and riparian forests and are associated with fruit trees,
especially wild figs.
Bronzewing
pigeon
The
bronzewing pigeon is a medium-sized pigeon native to Australia. They can live
in almost every habitat except dense rainforests and very unfruitful regions.
They look for food in small groups, and the search can sometimes last for days.
During this time, they need water and utilise every possible water source to
scavenge for seeds and vegetables.
Blue
crowned pigeon
These
species of pigeons are the only ones threatened on this list, live in New
Guinea, and are close relatives to the Victoria Crowned Pigeon. Similar to
them, they are also ground dwelling, and both sexes can reach up to 70 cm (28
in) in length and can weigh up to 2.1 kg (4.6 lbs). They eat mostly fruits and
seeds and are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and overhunting in some
areas.
Spinifex
pigeon
They are a
type of bronzewing pigeon, but they look stranger than their relatives. The
Spinifex is one of the three endemic bird species of Australia and lives in
arid regions containing hummock-looking grasses. They are unique for their
extreme endurance in harsh conditions in the desert, eating drought-resistant
seeds and grasses. They are most active during the early morning hours and late
in the afternoon, when the temperatures are cooler, and forage close to water
sources.
So that was it! – Now you know a lot more about strange pigeons. I hope you learned a lot regarding the spectacular wildlife on our planet with The Wildlife Echo!
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