The Pink Pigeon, Columba (formerly Nesoenas) mayeri, is a species of Columbidae (doves and pigeons) endemic to Mauritius, and now very rare. It was on the brink of extinction in 1991 (only 10 individuals remained) but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of Gerald Durrell and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in the 1960s. The book Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons by Gerald Durrell refers to the conservation efforts. The IUCN has recently downlisted the species from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2006. Mauritius has brought out a series of stamps depicting the endemic Pink Pigeon.

Description

An adult pigeon is about 32 cm from beak to tail and 350 gram in weight. Pink pigeons have pale pink plumage on their head, shoulders and underside, along with pink feet and pink beak. They have dark brown wings, and a broad, reddish-brown tail. They have dark brown eyes surrounded by a ring of red skin.

Newly hatched pigeons have sparse, downy-white feathers and closed eyes.

These pigeons have a very strange mating call a sort of coo-cooo with a twittering finish

Phylogeny

Initially classified as a true pigeon, it was re-classified in a monotypic genus by Tommaso Salvadori. Recent DNA analyses suggests its nearest neighbour on the phylogenetic tree is the geographically close Madagascar Turtle Dove (Streptopelia picturata), and has thus been placed in the Streptopelia genus, which mostly contains turtle doves. However, the two species form a distinct group that cannot unequivocally be assigned to either Streptopelia or Columba, and indeed, placing the two species in Nesoenas may best reflect the fact that they seem to belong to a distinct evolutionary lineage (Johnson et al., 2001).

Range

It is only found in the Mascarene island of Mauritius, a related form having become extinct in the neighbouring larger Reunion Island.

On Mauritius, it is found in patches of forest in the National Park region of the southwest, as well on Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve off the southeast coast of Mauritius. Further plans for released populations in the east coast mountains are under way.

Habitat

It prefers upland evergreen forests, but is equally at home in coastal forest as long as the vegetation is natural and not smothered by introduced species, such as Guava or privet. Destruction of these forests have been a major reason for its decline.

Habits

Feeding Habits

It feeds on native plants - by consuming buds, flowers, leaves, shoots, fruits and seeds. Non-native species like Guava pose a threat to it by preventing growth of native trees. It does supplement its diet at feeding stations manned by conservation officials.

Social Habits

Breeding Habits

The breeding season starts in August-September, although birds may breed all year round. The male courts the female with a "step and bow" display. Mating is generally monogamous, with the pair making a flimsy platform nest and defending a small area around it (even though the pigeons initially had no natural predators). The female usually lays 2 white eggs, and incubation duration is 2 weeks. The male incubates during the day, and the female during night and early day. They breed very often. They lay 5 to 10 eggs.

Males remain fertile till 17 - 18 years of age, females till 10 - 11 years of age.

Pair of Pink Pigeons

Rearing Young

1 - 7 days: Chicks eyes closed, fed entirely on crop milk.

7 - 10 days: Chicks undergo a dietary transformation to solid food.

2 - 4 weeks: Chicks fledge, but are parent-fed.

4 - 6/7 weeks: Chicks remain in the nest. After this the chicks leave the nest.

Demography and Longevity

Due to habitat destruction, and non-native predators, the population had dropped to 10 in 1991. The captive breeding and reintroduction program initiated and supported by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and largely carried out by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) has resulted in a stable population of about 360 in the wild in 2005 - of which about 75 are located on the small offshore island reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes (source: Vikash Tatayah, MWF Nov 2005) - as well as a healthy captive population as backup. There are more males than females in a population due to greater life expectancy of the male (about 5 years more). The average life expectancy upper bound is estimated at 17 - 18 years.