Pied cuckoo-dove

Last updated

Pied cuckoo-dove
Reinwardtoena browni 50659581 (cropped).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Reinwardtoena
Species:
R. browni
Binomial name
Reinwardtoena browni
Synonyms

The pied cuckoo-dove (Reinwardtoena browni) is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1877, it is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, where it mainly inhabits lowland and hill forests at elevations of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It is a large, distinctive pigeon, with a length of 40–46 cm (16–18 in) and a weight of 279–325 g (9.8–11.5 oz). Adults are mainly black and white. The heads and underparts are whitish, while the wings, tails, and upperparts are black. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles are mainly sooty-grey in colour.

Contents

The species is usually seen alone or in pairs and usually rather hard-to-find. It feeds on fruit. The only known nest was found in May 1930 and was a simple structure made of twigs on rocky terrain near a stream and contained a single white egg. The dove's population is estimated to number 15,000–30,000 total birds; it is listed as being near threatened on the IUCN Red List due to a decline in its population caused by deforestation in the lowland forests it inhabits. Some studies have found that the species is moderately tolerant of habitat degradation and have suggested that it be categorised as being of least concern.

Taxonomy and systematics

The pied cuckoo-dove was originally described in 1877 as Macropygia browni by the English zoologist Philip Sclater on the basis of a specimen from Duke of York Island in Papua New Guinea. [2] It was first moved to the genus Reinwardtoena by the Italian ornithologist Tommaso Salvadori in 1882. [3] The generic name Reinwardtoena is in honour of the Dutch naturalist Caspar Reinwardt, combining his name with the Ancient Greek word oinas, meaning "pigeon". The specific name browni is in honour of the Scottish missionary George Brown. [4] Pied cuckoo-dove is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union. [5] Other English common names for the species include Brown's cuckoo-dove, Brown's long-tailed pigeon, black-and-white long-tailed pigeon, and grey long-tailed pigeon. [6]

The pied cuckoo-dove is one of three species in the genus Reinwardtoena. [5] It is very similar in appearance to the great cuckoo-dove and the two are sometimes considered allospecies—species with geographically separated populations that can be considered part of the same species complex. [6] It does not have any currently recognized subspecies, [5] but populations from the Admiralty Islands have in the past been treated as a distinct subspecies, R. b. solitaria. Birds from Umboi Island may represent a distinct, currently unnamed subspecies. [7]

Description

The pied cuckoo-dove is a large and long-tailed pigeon, with a length of 40–46 cm (16–18 in) and a weight of 279–325 g (9.8–11.5 oz). The forehead and face are greyish-white, changing to silvery-grey towards the top of the head and hindneck. The neck is paler silvery-grey, darkest where it meets the upper back. The upper back, back, rump, tail, and wings are all blackish, with the wings and central tail feathers being a glossy blue-black. The rectrices are patterned with grey, and the outer three tail feathers have a somewhat indistinct grey band across the middle. The underparts are white from the throat to the belly, turning dark bluish-grey towards the undertail-coverts and flanks . The iris is red or yellow, and the bill is grey or brown with a reddish base. The feet are dark red. Adults of both sexes look alike. Juveniles are mainly sooty-grey in colour, with no hints of warm brown in their plumage. [6] [7]

Due to its distinctive black-and-white colouration, this species is unlikely to be confused with any other pigeons that share its range, but is very similar to the closely-related great cuckoo-dove. It differs from that species in its shorter tail and the absence of chestnut-brown in its plumage. [6] [7]

Vocalisations

The species's advertising call is a far-carrying series of notes; it starts with a short note, then has a long mournful note rising in pitch, and ends with two low-pitched notes, the second of which is the deepest in the call. [6]

Distribution and habitat

The pied cuckoo-dove is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, where it is found on the islands of New Britain, New Ireland, New Hanover, Umboi, Lolobau, Duke of York, Lihir, Tabar and Watom, as well as Manus, Rambutyo and Nauna in the Admiralty Islands. It inhabits rainforest and coastal scrub in lowlands and hills at elevations of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It prefers tall forests and is commonest in hills, often being absent from some lowland areas. [6] [7] It is somewhat tolerant of moderately degraded forest, but does not inhabit heavily degraded forests with little canopy cover. [8]

Behaviour and ecology

The pied cuckoo-dove is rather hard to find and is usually seen either alone or in pairs in the midstorey or canopy of the forest. Roosting occurs low inside the forest, occasionally on exposed branches and vines. [6] It feeds on fruits such as berries. [7]

The breeding biology of this pigeon is very poorly known. Courtship displays have been seen from March to May on New Hanover, in July on Dyaul, and in August on New Britain. The only known nest was a simple structure made of twigs, found in May 1930 on a ledge overhanging a stream flowing through rocky terrain on the island of New Britain. Nests contain a single white egg, which only the female has been observed incubating. Eggs are ovoid and are 34.71 mm × 25.03 mm (1.367 in × 0.985 in) in dimension. [9]

Conservation

The pied cuckoo-dove is listed as being near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the IUCN Red List. The species is generally uncommon throughout its range and has an estimated population of 15,000–30,000 total birds, of which 10,000–19,999 are estimated to be adults. It is mainly threatened by high levels of logging, although hunting may also present a threat. [1] It was previously considered to be of least concern as the decline in its population was not thought to be high enough for a threatened listing, [10] but was raised to near-threatened in 2008 following estimates of a more rapid fall in its population caused by intense deforestation in lowland forests throughout its range. [1] More recent studies have found that the species is moderately tolerant of habitat degradation and have suggested that it be categorised as being of least concern again. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolle's pigeon</span> Species of bird

Bolle's pigeon, Bolle's laurel pigeon or dark-tailed laurel pigeon is a species of the genus Columba of family Columbidae, doves and pigeons, endemic to the Canary Islands, Spain. This bird is named after the German naturalist Carl Bolle, who was the first to distinguish it from the laurel pigeon. This wood pigeon is endemic to the laurel forest habitat.

<i>Reinwardtoena</i> Genus of birds

Reinwardtoena is a small genus of doves in the family Columbidae. They are found on parts of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choiseul pigeon</span> An extinct bird from the Solomon Islands

The Choiseul pigeon is an extinct species of bird in the pigeon and dove family, Columbidae. It was endemic to the island of Choiseul in the Solomon Islands, although there are unsubstantiated reports that it may once have lived on several nearby islands. The last confirmed sighting was in 1904. Other common names were Solomons crested pigeon, Solomon Islands crowned-pigeon and Kuvojo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Island bronze-naped pigeon</span> Species of bird

The island bronze-naped pigeon, also known as the São Tomé bronze-naped pigeon or São Tomé pigeon, is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. It is endemic to the Gulf of Guinea, where it is found on the islands of São Tomé, Príncipe, and Annobón. It inhabits rainforest, secondary forests, and plantations at elevations of up to 1,668 m (5,472 ft), although it is more common at lower elevations. A small, darkish pigeon, it has a total length of 28 cm (11 in). Adult males have slate-grey heads and upper backs, blackish-grey wings, backs, and tails, buffy-white throats, ashy-grey breasts and bellies, and rufous vents. The back of the neck and upper back are glossy pink or green, while the wings have a green tinge to them. Females are similar, but have browner undersides, duller and less glossy upperparts, and more rusty-orange outer tail feathers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black imperial pigeon</span> Species of bird

The black imperial pigeon, also known as the Bismarck imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1878, it is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, where it mainly inhabits rainforest and cloud forest in mountain areas above 500 m (1,600 ft). It is a large, heavily built imperial pigeon, with a length of 38–43 cm (15–17 in) and a weight of 661–665 g (23.3–23.5 oz). Adults are almost entirely black, except for the dark chestnut undertail coverts, the silvery-grey underside of the tail, and a pale grey scaly pattern on the wings and back. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles differ from adults in having paler undertail coverts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palau ground dove</span> Species of bird endemic to the island country Palau

The Palau ground dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Palau, living in forests. The IUCN has assessed it as an endangered species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain pigeon</span> Genus of birds from Melanesia and Indonesia

Mountain pigeons are four species of birds in the genus Gymnophaps in the pigeon family Columbidae. They are found on islands in eastern Indonesia and Melanesia, where they inhabit hill and montane forest. Medium-sized pigeons with long tails and wings, they are 33–38.5 cm (13.0–15.2 in) long and weigh 259–385 g (9.1–13.6 oz). They mostly have dull grey, white, or chestnut-brown plumage, their most distinctive feature being bright red skin around the eyes. Males and females mostly look alike, but the Papuan and pale mountain pigeons show slight sexual dimorphism. Mountain pigeons are very social and are usually seen in flocks of 10–40 birds, although some species can form flocks of more than 100 individuals. They are generally quiet and do not make many vocalisations apart from a distinctive whooshing noise while leaving their high-altitude roosts to feed in the morning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pale mountain pigeon</span> Species of bird in the Solomon Islands

The pale mountain pigeon is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, where it inhabits old-growth and secondary montane forest. It is a medium-size pigeon with an average length of 38 cm (15 in) and a weight of 310–385 g (10.9–13.6 oz). The head and neck are whitish-grey, the belly and lower breast are buffy-pink, and the vent and undertail coverts are pale grey. The upperparts are smoky-grey with darker fringes on the mantle and wing coverts. Both sexes look similar, but there can be large variation in individual appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruddy cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird

The ruddy cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is a medium-sized, reddish brown cuckoo-dove, found in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It is rated as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-headed fruit dove</span> Species of bird endemic to the Solomon Islands

The white-headed fruit dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. It was described by the English ornithologist John Gould in 1856, and the specific name eugeniae honours the French empress Eugénie de Montijo. Adults of the species have white heads, a purplish-red breast patch, a grey shoulder patch, olive-green upperparts, greenish underparts with a blue tinge, and a yellowish vent. Juveniles have green heads with the white restricted to the forehead and upper throat, a much smaller grey shoulder patch, and the red breast patch restricted to the centre of the breast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey-green fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The grey-green fruit dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-bibbed fruit dove</span> Species of bird

The white-bibbed fruit dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird

The crested cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by English zoologist John Gould in 1856, it is endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago, where it mainly inhabits hill forests at elevations of 500–900 m (1,600–3,000 ft). It is a large and robust pigeon, with a length of 40–42 cm (16–17 in) and a distinctive pale purplish-grey crest. Adults are mainly bluish-grey, with a pale greyish-buff throat, blackish tail, and yellow-tipped reddish bill. Both sexes look alike. Juveniles lack the crest, have darker heads, and have duller wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird

The great cuckoo-dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family, Columbidae. First described by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck in 1824, it is found on New Guinea, several surrounding islands, and Wallacea, where it mainly inhabits primary forest and the forest edge. It is a large, distinctive pigeon, with a length of 47.5–52.5 cm (18.7–20.7 in) and a weight of 208–305 g (7.3–10.8 oz). In adults, the head, neck, and breast are whitish or blue-grey, the underparts are pale bluish-grey, the upperparts are chestnut-brown, and the outer wings are black. Females differ from males in having more yellowish irises and duller orbital skin. Juveniles are mainly dull grey-brown, with dirty-white throats and bellies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thick-billed ground pigeon</span> Species of bird

The thick-billed ground pigeon, also known as the jungle pigeon or the slaty/grey ground pigeon, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is monotypic within the genus Trugon. Native to New Guinea, its natural habitat is moist tropical lowland forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black cuckoo-dove</span> Species of bird from the Lesser Sunda Islands

The black cuckoo-dove or black dove, also known as the slaty cuckoo dove, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands, being found on Timor, Wetar, Rote, and Atauro. It inhabits primary and secondary monsoon forest, eucalyptus forest, and woodlands. It is 38.5 cm (15.2 in) long on average and is mainly dark bluish-gray, lighter on the head and underparts and darker on the wings and tail. It has yellow orbital skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buru mountain pigeon</span> Species of bird from Buru, Indonesia

The Buru mountain pigeon, formerly also long-tailed mountain pigeon is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. It is endemic to Indonesia and inhabits montane forest and disturbed lowland forest on Buru. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Seram mountain pigeon. It is a medium-sized pigeon 33–38.5 cm (13.0–15.2 in) long, and has a blue-grey crown and neck, darker slate-grey upperparts, and a white to pale buff-pink throat and breast that becomes buff-pink towards the belly. The species is slightly sexually dimorphic, with females being smaller and having more dark red on the breast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seram mountain pigeon</span> Species of bird from Seram, Indonesia

The Seram mountain pigeon is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae that is endemic to the island of Seram in Indonesia, where it inhabits hill forest. It was long considered to be a subspecies of the Buru mountain pigeon, but was split on the basis of differences in appearance. It is a medium-sized pigeon with a buff-pink face and breast, wine-pink underparts, a grey nape, crown, back of neck, and thighs, and dark chestnut belly and underside of the tail.

References

  1. 1 2 3 BirdLife International (2018). "Reinwardtoena browni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22690596A132062362. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22690596A132062362.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Sclater, P. L. (1877). "On the Birds collected by Mr. George Brown, C.M.Z.S., on Duke of York Island, and on the adjoining parts of Now Ireland and New Britain". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part 1. 1877:Jan.-Apr.: 110–111 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ↑ Salvadori, Tommaso (1893). Catalogue of the Columbae, or pigeons, in the Collection of the British Museum. Vol. 21. London: British Museum of Natural History. pp. 367–368. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.8233. OCLC   988725359.
  4. ↑ Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 78, 332. ISBN   978-1-4081-3326-2.
  5. 1 2 3 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2023). "Pigeons". IOC World Bird List Version 13.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gibbs, David; Barnes, Eustace; Cox, John (2001). Pigeons and Doves: A Guide to the Pigeons and Doves of the World. Pica Press. pp. 278–279. ISBN   978-1-8734-0360-0. OCLC   701718514.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Baptista, Luis F.; Trail, Pepper W.; Horblit, H.M.; Boesman, Peter F. D.; Garcia, Ernest (2020-03-04), Billerman, Shawn M.; Keeney, Brooke K.; Rodewald, Paul G.; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (eds.), "Pied Cuckoo-Dove (Reinwardtoena browni)", Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, doi:10.2173/bow.picdov1.01 , retrieved 2023-10-24
  8. 1 2 Davis, Robert A.; Dutson, Guy; Szabo, Judit K. (2018). "Conservation status of threatened and endemic birds of New Britain, Papua New Guinea". Bird Conservation International. 28 (3): 445. doi: 10.1017/S0959270917000156 . ISSN   0959-2709.
  9. ↑ Marcuk, V.; de Boer, D. (2021). "First description of the egg of the enigmatic pied cuckoo-dove, with a literature review on the breeding biology of the congeneric crested and great cuckoo-dove". Notornis. 68 (1): 90.
  10. ↑ BirdLife International (2004). "Reinwardtoena browni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2004: e.T22690596A34700302. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.