The ashy wood pigeon (Columba pulchricollis) belongs to the family of doves and pigeons, Columbidae.
These pigeon species are distributed in parts of north and northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and China (Tibet, Yunnan and Taiwan). These pigeon species are non-migrant arboreal birds. The ashy wood pigeon is a monotypic species.
Ashy Wood pigeon - Overview
- Scientific name: Columba pulchricollis
- Species author: Blyth, 1846
- Synonyms/Protonym: Columba pulchricollis Blyth, 1846
- Family: Columbidae › Columbiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Ashy wood pigeon, Chinese: 灰林鸽, French: Pigeon cendré, German: Himalajataube, Spanish: Paloma cenicienta, Russian: Пепельный голубь, Japanese: タイワンジュズカケバト, Thai: นกพิราบเขาสูง
- Other names: Ashy Pigeon, Ashy Woodpigeon, Nepal Wood-Pigeon
- Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China, Taiwan
- Diet and feeding habits: fruits, berries, acorns, seeds, other plant material, snails
- IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Appearance, physical description and identification
The ashy wood pigeon (Columba pulchricollis) is a medium-sized bird, measuring 30 to 35 cm in length and weighing 300 to 350 grams. The head is pale bluish gray and the neck is whitish. There is a neck collar, wider at back and at front and narrowing at sides. The collar consists of shiny buff and black feathers. The upperside is dark bluish gray. The breast is pale gray, merging into very pale gray or almost whitish undertail.The tail is squarish with darker tip. The tip of the wings is paler. The irises are blackish gray. The beak is pale gray with curved upper tip. The feet are pale gray. Their call is a low-pitched hoot, “wooh..wooh..wooh” sound.
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| Birds of India - Image of Ashy wood pigeon - Columba pulchricollis |
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| Indian birds - Photo of Ashy wood pigeon - Columba pulchricollis |
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| Birds of India - Picture of Ashy wood pigeon - Columba pulchricollis |
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The ashy wood pigeon species are distributed in parts of north and northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, northern Thailand, northern Laos and southeastern parts of China (Tibet, Yunnan and Taiwan).In India, these pigeons are distributed in the states of Uttarakhand, Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Ecosystem and habitat
These ashy wood pigeon species are moderately forest dependent. They inhabit various forest and shrubland ecosystems.These pigeon species inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, tropical and subtropical moist lowlands, temperate forests, temperate shrublands and tropical and subtropical high altitude shrublands. These species occur in altitudes from 1200 to 3200 meters.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of these ashy wood pigeon species is mostly fruits, berries, seeds and plant material. These birds are mostly frugivorous and their primary food is wild fruits and berries. They have been observed to feed on other plant material and small snails.Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these ashy wood pigeon species is from May to August. Their tree-nest is made of twigs and sticks. One or two white eggs are laid in the feather lined nest. The egg is incubated for about 22 days. The hatchlings fledge in about 28 days.Migration and movement patterns
The ashy wood pigeon is non-migrant and mostly sedentary bird. Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding in their range. Sometimes they become nomadic when dearth of food occurs.Conservation and survival
The global population size of the ashy wood pigeon (Columba pulchricollis) has not been quantified. The overall population size of these ashy pigeon species is considered to be decreasing. Throughout its range it is reported to be rare and secretive. The generation length is 5.6 years. Their distribution size is about 2,990,000 sq.km.The ashy wood pigeon (Columba pulchricollis) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion. The ongoing destruction of their habitat is the main threat that may endanger the survival of these species.
IUCN and CITES status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the pigeon species and has listed it as of "Least Concern". CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for the ashy wood pigeon (Columba pulchricollis).| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Columba pulchricollis | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Columba |
| Species: | C. pulchricollis |
| Binomial name: | Columba pulchricollis |
| IUCN status listing: |  Least Concern |
1.Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ashy_Wood_Pigeon_Kedarnath_Musk_Deer_Sanctuary_Chamoli_Uttarakhand_India_25.11.2015.jpg
Image author: Dibyendu Ash | License: CC BY-SA 3.0
2.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dotcool/353680969/
Image author: PeiWen Chang | License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (as on 07-02-2017)
3.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/midassun/22033958545/
Image author: 老毛 | License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (as on 07-02-2017)
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