Nilgiri Woodpigeon

Nilgiri Woodpigeon
: Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Columbiformes : Columbidae : Columba : elphinstonii
Binomial name
Columba elphinstonii (Sykes, 1832)

The Nilgiri Woodpigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is a bird endemic to moist deciduous forests and sholas of south India. They are identified by their classical checkerboard pattern on their napes. They are a globally threatened species.

This pigeon qualifies as Vulnerable owing to its small, declining population, as a result of widespread destruction of its forest habitat. [1] A few relict populations may still survive on the high altitude hills of the peninsula outside the Western Ghats formation (Eg. Nandi Hills near Bangalore)

References

1. Red Data Book Asia

External link

• Photograph of the bird