Nicobar Pigeon
The Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is a metallic green and copper pigeon of small islands from the Nicobar Islands to the Solomon Islands. Genetic work shows that it is the closest living relative of the extinct dodo.
The Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is a metallic green and copper pigeon of small islands from the Nicobar Islands to the Solomon Islands. Genetic work shows that it is the closest living relative of the extinct dodo.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Nicobar Pigeon in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Reptilia lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Closest Living Cousin of the Dodo
DNA from the dodo and the related Rodrigues solitaire shows that their nearest living relative is the Nicobar pigeon, and that the dodo lineage descended from flying pigeons that colonized islands in the Indian Ocean. See Dodo.
Gizzard Stones and Hackles
The bird has long, shining neck feathers (hackles) and a stout gizzard in which it grinds hard seeds with stones. It flies between islands to feed on fruits and seeds, and so spreads seeds.
An Island Bird at Risk
The bird nests on small islands, and hunting, introduced predators and trade have contributed to its decline. It is classed as Near Threatened.
Nicobar Pigeon at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Caloenas nicobarica |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Field Guide group | Reptilia: Aves (Birds) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Iridescent green-and-copper plumage with long neck hackles, short white tail, and a fleshy black knob on the bill. |
| IUCN Red List status | Near Threatened (NT), assessed 2021 |
| Closest relative | Dodo (extinct) |