Polynesian imperial pigeon
The Polynesian imperial pigeon or Society Islands pigeon (Ducula aurorae) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to French Polynesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
| Polynesian imperial pigeon | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Ducula |
| Species: | D. aurorae |
| Binomial name | |
| Ducula aurorae (Peale, 1849) | |
Description
This pigeon is approximately 51 cm tall. It is a large, knob-billed pigeon with broad rounded wings. Its plumage is silver-grey on its head and most of underparts with dark bronzy-green upperparts and black undertail-coverts.[2]
Ecology and conservation
This species is formerly found in dense forests but has since been found in secondary habitat such as gardens. It feeds on fruit of a great variety of native and introduced trees. It is now an important seed disperser on Makatea, accelerating the spread of native forest into areas which had been mined and deforested. A 2009 estimate suggested a current population size of only 1000-1600 individuals.[1]
Cultural References
The Polynesian imperial pigeon is featured in a folktale from Tupua'i, French Polynesia, in which it plays the role of a midwife for a sister who others refused to help in childbirth. In some versions of the story, it avenges its sister by casting all of the people of the island into the ocean.[3]
References
- BirdLife International (2017). "Ducula aurorae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22691668A118663538. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22691668A118663538.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- "Polynesian Imperial pigeon Ducula aurorae - Species Factsheet". BirdLife International.
- Richter-Gravier, Raphael (2022-07-28). "Birds as Companion Animals in Traditional Polynesian Narratives". Society & Animals: 1–18. doi:10.1163/15685306-bja10075. ISSN 1063-1119.