The Andaman cuckoo-dove (Macropygia rufipennis) belongs to the family of pigeons and doves, Columbidae.
The Andaman cuckoo-doves are endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. These cuckoo-dove species have become rare and the IUCN has listed them as "Near Threatened". These cuckoo-doves are monotypic species.
Andaman cuckoo-dove - Overview
- Scientific name: Macropygia rufipennis
- Species author: Blyth, 1846
- Synonyms/Protonym: Macropygia rufipennis Blyth, 1846
- Family: Columbidae › Columbiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Vernacular names: English: Andaman cuckoo-dove, Chinese: 红翅鹃鸠, French: Phasianelle des Nicobar, German: Rotsteißtaube, Spanish: Tórtola cuco de Andamán, Russian: Андаманская кукушковая горлица, Japanese: アンダマンオナガバト
- Other names: Nicobar Cuckoo-Dove
- Distribution: endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Diet and feeding habits: fruits, berries
- IUCN status listing: Near Threatened (NT)
Appearance, physical description and identification
The Andaman cuckoo-dove (Macropygia rufipennis) is a medium-sized bird, measuring 39 to 40 cm in length and weighing 230 to 290 grams.The overall plumage of these cuckoo-dove species is shades of brown. The head and the nape are rusty brown to chestnut. The chin and throat are a little paler rufous. The hinderneck is reddish brown.
The throat, breast, belly and back have fine darker striations. The lower belly and vent region are paler. The tail is long and graduated on the underside.
The bill is dark brown. The irises are dark. The feet are dark brown. The Andaman cuckoo-dove call is a repeated cooing "koo..koo" sound.
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| 1.Birds of India - Image of Andaman cuckoo-dove - Macropygia rufipennis by E C Stuart |
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| 2.Indian birds - Picture of Andaman cuckoo-dove - Macropygia rufipennis by Balaji Venkatesh Sivaramakrishnan |
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| 3.Birds of India - Photo of Andaman cuckoo-dove - Macropygia rufipennis by Balaji Venkatesh Sivaramakrishnan |
Origin, geographical range and distribution
These cuckoo-dove species are endemic to India and distributed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The populations in Nicobar Islands are comparatively rarer.The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of these cuckoo-dove species in Nicobar Islands are Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Tillangchong, Camorta, Katchal, Nancowry and Trinkat.
The IBA of these cuckoo-dove species in Andaman Islands are Austin Strait, Barangtang - Rafters Creek, Chainpur and Hanspuri, Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Jarawa Reserve, Kadakachang, Little Andaman, Wandoor National Park, Mount Harriet National Park, North and South Sentinel, Rani Jhansi Marine National Park and Rani Jhansi Marine National Park.
Ecosystem and habitat
These Andaman cuckoo-dove species has high forest dependence. These species normally occur in altitudes from 0 to 100 meters.The natural ecosystems of these species include dense evergreen forests, broadleaved primary forests, secondary evergreen forests, secondary growths, gardens and clearings.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of Andaman cuckoo-dove consists mainly of fruits. Various types of fruits and berries are their primary food. Notably they feed on berries of Vitis spp. and Leae spp. and Bird's eye chilies (Capsicum annuum).Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of the Andaman cuckoo-dove species is probably from February to April. Males with enlarged testes had been collected during the months February, March and April. The nesting sites, nests and eggs are undescribed.Migration and movement patterns
These Andaman cuckoo-dove species are non-migratory resident birds.Post breeding, the juveniles may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the Andaman cuckoo-dove (Macropygia rufipennis) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of these species is reported to be decreasing.Throughout its range this cuckoo-dove species is reported to be rare to uncommon. The generation length is 5.2 years. Its distribution size is about 66,500 sq.km.
Habitat degradation and fragmentation and hunting are the main threats that may endanger the survival of these species.
IUCN and CITES status
The Andaman cuckoo-dove (Macropygia rufipennis) is approaching the thresholds for being Vulnerable under the range size criterion, under the population trend criterion and under the population size criterion.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as "Near Threatened". The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for Andaman cuckoo-dove (Macropygia rufipennis).
| Taxonomy and scientific classification of Macropygia rufipennis | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Macropygia |
| Species: | M. rufipennis |
| Binomial name: | Macropygia rufipennis |
| IUCN status listing: |
 Near Threatened |
1.Andaman cuckoo-dove image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MacropygiaRufipennis.jpg (cropped)
Image author: E C Stuart | License: Public domain
2.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbalajiv/16838368188/ (cropped)
Image author: Balaji Venkatesh Sivaramakrishnan | License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 as on 9/7/17
3.Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbalajiv/17026126955/ (cropped)
Image author: Balaji Venkatesh Sivaramakrishnan | License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 as on 9/7/17
Current topic in Birds of India: Andaman cuckoo-dove - Macropygia rufipennis.
