Nicobar Pigeon

Description:

The only living member of the genus Caloenas (other species are only known by it's subfossil remains) and the closest living relative of the extinct dodo. One of the rarest, delicate and graceful pigeons dwelling only in few islands in southwestern part of Luzon and of the Philippines. Found this fellow crossing a human path, paused and stared at me for a few seconds before it flushed out to a canopy about 50 meters away. A talk with DENR people revealed that a few years back, 4 caged Nicobars were confiscated from the mainland Mindoro, tagged and released in the area, but as years go by, so with the liberated fellows. As assessed by the DENR officials, this lone dove is still a part of the previous native residents as it did not wear the band.

Habitat:

Regional bird ranging from Myanmar to India, Philippines, Papua to Solomon islands.

Notes:

Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)