DOCSLIB.ORG

First Sighting of the Elegant Imperial-Pigeon Ducula Concinna in Australia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
First Sighting of the Elegant Imperial-Pigeon Ducula Concinna in Australia AUSTRALIAN 110 BIRD WATCHER AUSTRALIAN BIRD WATCHER 1995, 16, 110-114 First Sighting of the Elegant Imperial-Pigeon Ducula concinna in Australia by A. JO WRIGHT1, ROGER JAENSCH2, JOHN WOINARSKP and PETER SOULOS3 1P.O. Box 233, Nightcliff, N.T. 0810 2Wildlife Research Unit, Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, N.T. 0831 3Clematis Street, Nightcliff, N.T. 0810 Introduction The Elegant Imperial-Pigeon Ducula concinna inhabits the smaller islands and islets in Wallacea from the Aru Islands and those off the Bomberai Peninsula (South Vogelkop region) of Irian Jaya, through to those off the Sulawesi coast (Goodwin 1970, Sibley & Monroe 1990). Localities closest to Darwin (N.T., Australia) that certainly support this species include Pulau Teun 620 km to the north (Goodwin 1970), and Seflllata c. 510 km to the north (Sibley & Monroe 1990). The bird is apparently found only on small islands throughout its range; the Aru Islands located 715 km to the north­ east of Darwin are the largest islands in its range. It is not recorded as a migrating species. We have no current information on its status. Goodwin (1970) quoted Meise (1930) that it was usually found in large flocks on Kalao Tua, where it was abundant. The sighting In 1991 Soulos, a resident of Clematis Street in the northern Darwin suburb of Nightcliff, heard an unusual bird call in his garden during the middle of the day which he thought may have been the call of a crow. Many months after he noted the original call, a friend, Nigel Gray of Oleander Street, invited him to view the 'crow' which was roosting in a tree in Gray's garden some 100m away. What they saw was a pigeon unlike any they had seen before. Soulos, being a pigeon-breeder, was keen to identify the species and, after confirming that it was not described in Schodde & Tidemann (1986), he contacted a number of people whom he thought may have been able to help. Over many months contacts included prominent aviculturists who had never heard of a bird of such description being held in captivity in Darwin, and long-term Darwin residents who had likewise never heard nor seen a bird that fitted the description offered. Soulos called staff of the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory (CCNT) at the Territory Wildlife Park, who were interested but unsuccessful in their attempts to view the bird. The description of the bird given to CCNT staff was of a large pigeon with pale body and green wings, and an apparent 'knob' on its upper mandible. A preliminary diagnosis from that information was of a Black-knobbed (or Spice) Imperial-Pigeon Ducula myristicivora. Soulos developed an extensive knowledge of the unidentified bird's habits, including the places it roosted at different times of the day, its preening patterns and a variety of calls, and observed it feeding on seeds of the Carpentaria Palm Carpentaria acuminata in his neighbour's yard. By May 1994 it was about three years since he first heard the bird. He recalled that in the past it had disappeared for long periods before returning to resume its haunts, always in a rather restricted territory, and where VOL. 16 (3) SEPTEMBER 1995 Elegant Imperial-Pigeon in Australia 111 it remained for extended periods. It had always been alone when seen. Although no dates are recorded, Soulos is adamant that the bird was seen in Nightcliff in the dry season. Its identity, however, remained elusive. On 18 September 1993, Wright returned home to Frangipanni Street in Nightcliff after one month away, and within hours heard a new bird call in the neighbourhood. Opposite his home are two large Banyan Figs spanning three entire house-block frontages, magnificent specimens of Ficus virens var. virens. One of these trees is huge and dense, the other a younger tree of lesser proportions and more open canopy, where many local and migratory birds roost. The call was a striking rrhaaahw, loud and resonant, usually repeated after a delay of 10 seconds or so, and always emitted from the more open of the two trees. It was so distinctive that Wright's 18-month-old son quickly added it to his repertoire, along with his replies to Brahminy Kites Haliastur indus which nest in the larger Banyan. The call was usually heard a half dozen or more times at first light between 0600 and 0630 h, and then again in the evening around 1745-1830 h. Typically through the day there was an occasional single call, although on one occasion a Whistling Kite H. sphenurus gliding low overhead provoked three calls in succession. A second distinctive call, low-pitched and quite penetrating, and best represented by due, was heard throughout the day when the bird was present. Attempts to sight the bird were fruitless for many weeks. Despite hearing the bird almost every day, Wright was unable to catch a glimpse of it. A neighbour reported subsequently that she had heard the bird for perhaps a few weeks earlier, but similarly it had remained out of her sight. The calls were absent for a week or so in early October, but then were given at their original location on a daily basis for a further three weeks. A good view of the particular tree was had from the balcony of Wright's elevated house, which was 40 m from the tree's base and less than 25 m from the edge of its canopy, but in spite of this the bird remained elusive. On 22 October 1993, at 1750 h, he caught sight of what initially was thought to be a large Pied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bicolor. While still silhouetted, the bird raised its head, ruffled the feathers at the back of its neck, opened its bill widely and emitted a loud rrhaaahw. It moved off on that occasion but the following morning at 0545 h in dull first light it was seen sitting in the open on the powerlines not 10 m from the balcony. It retreated to the position at the top of the open Banyan where it had been observed the previous day, and was to be seen within a 3 m radius of the same position on a twice-daily basis for the following week. Wright was able to study it through 7 x 50 binoculars from 40 m, make a sound-recording of the call, and obtain several colour photographs over the next few days, all at times of fairly low light. The following is adapted from Wright's original field notes: The bird is slightly larger than the Torresian [Pied] Imperial-Pigeon. The head, throat and breast are pale grey with a hint of a fawn wash, eye is orange, bill black with a small cere on the upper mandible and a ring of white feathers around the base; wings, back and tail are dark grey-black, the long tail is centrally notched; strong bare legs are bright pink-red. In flight the underwing is entirely dark grey, and the wingbeats are slower and more deliberate than the Torresian pigeon. The bird looked to be without injury. The call was often emitted in response to the close approach of Pied Imperial­ Pigeons, which are numerous in the area at the time of year and very active at dawn and dusk, and which at that time were rather preoccupied with mating behaviour. The particular Banyan was heavily fruiting with small green fruit, which attracts flocks of up to 50 Rainbow Lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus rubritorquis and up to a dozen or so Pied Imperial-Pigeons at the peak viewing times of dawn and dusk, all feeding rather noisily. In contrast, the bird was indifferent to the surrounding feasting. It climbed along branches quite inconspicuously, occasionally hopping to another perch, AUSTRALIAN 112 WRIGHT, JAENSCH, WOINARSKI & SOULOS BIRD WATCHER and on several occasions was seen to peck at fruit but never observed to eat them, and was mostly inactive. It disappeared from view around 0630 h, flying at well below tree-top height to nearby trees, and thence out of view. Its distinctive call could occasionally be heard from elsewhere in the neighbourhood, but in the main it called repetitively only at its 'home perch'. Diagnosis On 29 October 1993 at 0600 h Woinarski and Jaensch were able to join Wright on the balcony armed with a collection of regional bird guides to assist in identification, and succeeded in viewing the bird around 0700 h. It appeared suddenly at the usual open perch at the top of the Banyan tree, and its size was slightly larger than a Pied Imperial-Pigeon. Additional observations in the brighter light, from Jaensch's field notes, included: a fine yellow ring around the bright orange iris, an iridescent green visible on the shoulders, black bill which appeared laterally broad at the base, a dark, dull chestnut vent, and black claws. The back, rump, upperwing coverts and secondaries were dark grey with green, blue and/or bronze iridescence that was bright at some angles to the light. There was possibly a brighter blue sheen on the rump. Upper side of primaries and tail were similar to the back but with Jess iridescence, often appearing black. The description and calls match closely those of the Elegant Imperial-Pigeon described in Goodwin (1970, p. 396, where it is referred to as Blue-tailed Imperial Pigeon) and Beehler et al. (1986) . The small cere is not described in either published account, but in all other respects it matches closely. Similar species are the White­ eyed Imperial-Pigeon Ducula perspicillata (of the larger islands between Sulawesi and New Guinea), which is distinguished from this bird by a darker head, paler vent and dark brown irides; and the Black-knobbed Imperial-Pigeon (of far north-western New Guinea and adjacent islands), which when compared with this bird has more pink on the underparts, paler underwings, and brown irides.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • West Papua – Birds-Of-Paradise and Endemics of the Arfaks and Waigeo
    INDONESIA: WEST PAPUA – BIRDS-OF-PARADISE AND ENDEMICS OF THE ARFAKS AND WAIGEO 03 – 14 AUGUST 2022 03 – 14 AUGUST 2023 Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise is often considered one of the best-looking birds in the world! www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | ITINERARY Indonesia: West Papua – Arfak and Waigeo New Guinea is a geographic rather than political term that refers to the main island in the region. The western half of the island of New Guinea comprises the Indonesian provinces of West Papua (Papua Barat) and Papua, collectively once called West Irian or Irian Jaya; the eastern half of the main island of New Guinea comprises the country of Papua New Guinea. We will be based in West Papua for this exhilarating, small-group birding adventure. Aside from the large landmass of New Guinea, the New Guinea region includes numerous small islands (some part of Indonesia and others part of Papua New Guinea), and we will visit one of these areas: Waigeo, part of the Raja Ampat Archipelago in West Papua (also known as the Northwestern Islands). Approximately 680 bird species have been recorded from West Papua, from slightly more than 700 for the whole New Guinea region. Some 550 species are considered breeding residents, with 279 New Guinea endemics (found in Indonesia and/or Papua New Guinea) and at least an additional 42 endemics found only in West Papua. There are also over 115 Palearctic and Australian migrant species and a range of seabirds which spend some of their time in West Papua. This tour will begin in the town of Manokwari, situated on the north-eastern tip of West Papua's Bird's Head (or Vogelkop) Peninsula where we could get our tour started with the gorgeous Lesser Bird-of-paradise, this area is usually great for Blyth’s Hornbill and numerous fruit doves.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Checklists of the World Country Or Region: Myanmar
    Avibase Page 1of 30 Col Location Date Start time Duration Distance Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World 1 Country or region: Myanmar 2 Number of species: 1088 3 Number of endemics: 5 4 Number of breeding endemics: 0 5 Number of introduced species: 1 6 7 8 9 10 Recommended citation: Lepage, D. 2021. Checklist of the birds of Myanmar. Avibase, the world bird database. Retrieved from .https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=mm [23/09/2021]. Make your observations count! Submit your data to ebird.
    [Show full text]
  • Compile and Review Invasive Alien Species Information for the Republic of the Marshall Islands
    Report for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Compile and Review Invasive Alien Species Information for the Republic of the Marshall Islands March 2015 Shyama Pagad Biodiversity Data Management Ltd. Programme Officer, IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group 1 Table of Contents Glossary and Definitions ....................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Key Information Sources ....................................................................................................................... 6 SECTION 1 .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Alien and Invasive Species in RMI ........................................................................................................ 8 Results of information review .............................................................................................................. 8 SECTION 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Pathways of introduction and spread of invasive alien species ....................................................... 10 SECTION 3 ...........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000: Recovery Outline
    RECOVERY OUTLINE Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon 1 Family Columbidae 2 Scientific name Ducula whartoni (Sharpe, 1887) 3 Common name Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon 4 Conservation status Critically Endangered: A2ce 5 Reasons for listing 9 Ecology The population size of this subspecies is expected to The Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon is found mainly decrease by up to 80% over the next three generations on the inland plateau in rainforest and, to some extent, (12 years; Critically Endangered: A2) as a result of a in secondary regrowth dominated by the introduced decline in habitat quality (c) and the current rate of Japanese Cherry Muntingia calabura (Crome, 1987, spread of introduced ants (e). Stokes, 1988). It nests in the top of rainforest trees and other dense vegetation (Hicks and Yorkston, 1982), Estimate Reliability and feeds on rainforest and other fruits, as well as 2 Extent of occurrence 137 km high buds and leaves (Higgins and Davies, 1996). trend stable high 10 Threats Area of occupancy 100 km2 high In the past, numbers of Christmas Island Imperial trend decreasing medium Pigeon have been reduced by habitat clearance and No. of breeding birds 1,000 low hunting (Crome, 1987, Stokes, 1988). About one-third trend decreasing medium of the pigeon's preferred plateau forest was cleared for No. of sub-populations 1 high phosphate mining before this ceased in 1987, though Generation time 5 years low this loss has been partly offset by introduction of the 6 Infraspecific taxa Japanese Cherry, which flourishes on many former None described. mine fields and other disturbed areas, and provides a rich food source for much of the year (Stokes, 1988).
    [Show full text]
  • Kea (Nestor Notabilis) Care Manual
    Kea (Nestor notabilis) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Kea Species Survival Plan® Program IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Parrot Taxon Advisory Group Kea (Nestor notabilis) Care Manual Kea (Nestor notabilis) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in collaboration with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Kea Species Survival Plan (Nestor notabilis). (2020). Kea Care Manual. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Original Completion Date: July 1, 2019 Kea (Nestor notabilis) Care Manual Coordinator: Kimberly Klosterman, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Senior Avian Keeper, Kea SSP Vice Coordinator Authors and Significant Contributors: Krista Adlehart CRM, Woodland Park Zoo, Animal Management Registrar Amanda Ardente NVM, PhD, Walt Disney World, University of Florida, Nutrition Fellow Jackie Bray, MA Zoology CPBT-KA, Raptor Incorporated, Associate Director Cassandre Crawford MM, Northwest Local School District, Orchestra Director, Kea SSP Volunteer Thea Etchells, Denver Zoo, Bird Keeper Linda Henry, Board Member of Zoological Lighting Institute, SeaWorld San Diego Phillip Horvey, Sedgwick County Zoo, Senior Zookeeper, Masked Lapwing SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper Cari Inserra, San Diego Zoo, Lead Animal Trainer Kimberly Klosterman, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Senior Avian Keeper, Kea Care Manual Coordinator, Vice Coordinator Kea SSP Program Jessica Meehan, Denver Zoo, Bird Keeper, Kea SSP Coordinator and Studbook Keeper Jennifer Nollman DVM, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Associate Veterinarian Catherine Vine, Philadelphia Zoo, Avian Keeper Reviewers: Raoul Schwing PhD, Head of Kea Lab & Infrastructure Project Manager, Messerli Research Institute, University of Vienna, AU Tamsin Orr-Walker, BAAT, Co-founder, Trustee & Chair of Kea Conservation Trust, South Island Community Engagement Coordinator, NZ Nigel Simpson, EAZA Kea EEP Coordinator, Head of Operations, Wild Place Project, Bristol Zoological Society, UK Dr.rer.nat Gyula K.
    [Show full text]
  • 990 PART 23—ENDANGERED SPECIES CONVENTION Subpart A—Introduction
    Pt. 23 50 CFR Ch. I (10–1–01 Edition) Service agent, or other game law en- 23.36 Schedule of public meetings and no- forcement officer free and unrestricted tices. access over the premises on which such 23.37 Federal agency consultation. operations have been or are being con- 23.38 Modifications of procedures and nego- ducted; and shall furnish promptly to tiating positions. such officer whatever information he 23.39 Notice of availability of official re- may require concerning such oper- port. ations. Subpart E—Scientific Authority Advice (c) The authority to take golden ea- [Reserved] gles under a depredations control order issued pursuant to this subpart D only Subpart F—Export of Certain Species authorizes the taking of golden eagles when necessary to seasonally protect 23.51 American ginseng (Panax domesticated flocks and herds, and all quinquefolius). such birds taken must be reported and 23.52 Bobcat (Lynx rufus). turned over to a local Bureau Agent. 23.53 River otter (Lontra canadensis). 23.54 Lynx (Lynx canadensis). 23.55 Gray wolf (Canis lupus). PART 23—ENDANGERED SPECIES 23.56 Brown bear (Ursus arctos). CONVENTION 23.57 American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Subpart A—Introduction AUTHORITY: Convention on International Sec. Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 23.1 Purpose of regulations. and Flora, 27 U.S.T. 1087; and Endangered 23.2 Scope of regulations. Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 23.3 Definitions. 1531 et seq. 23.4 Parties to the Convention. SOURCE: 42 FR 10465, Feb. 22, 1977, unless Subpart B—Prohibitions, Permits and otherwise noted.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds of Calicoan, Philippine Islands
    THE BIRDS OF CALICOAN, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BY NATHAN S. POTTER, III ROM February 15 to November 5, 1945, I was stationed at the U. S. F Naval Supply Depot on Calicoan, a coral island about 10 miles long and half a mile wide, lying approximately 300 yards off the southern tip of Samar in the Philippine Islands. Except for a few palm groves, the island was covered with a dense, nearly impassable forest. The island was sparsely populated. There was a thin layer of sandy earth in the palm groves and in a few of the low gullies which supported banana plants; the rest of the island was bare coral, even in the dense forest areas. The gulf shore was mostly narrow sandy beach, but the Pacific shore was a barren coral cliff from 10 to 60 feet high. A narrow ridge from 100 to 200 feet high ran lengthwise down the center of the island. This central ridge was densely wooded and im- possible to penetrate except along one or two native trails, which were very difficult to find and equally hard to follow. Along the edge of the central ridge were a few areas of low, scattered brush. By early summer the palm groves and level areas had been cleared and taken over by naval activities. Calicoan has probably not previously been visited by an ornithologist, al- though the central part of Samar was worked by the J. B. Steere expedition (1887-88)) Bourns and Worcester (1890-92)) and by Whitehead in 1896. My field work was carried on almost daily from 4:30, or S:OO, to 6:00 p.m., and toward the end of the summer I spent most Sundays and an occasional full afternoon in the field, making a total of approximately 350 hours of field work.
    [Show full text]
  • The Spotted Green Pigeon Caloenas Maculata
    Hein van Grouw 291 Bull. B.O.C. 2014 134(4) The Spoted Green Pigeon Caloenas maculata: as dead as a Dodo, but what else do we know about it? by Hein van Grouw Received 31 July 2014 Summary.—Described in 1783 and since then re-examined by many notable ornithologists, the single specimen known as the ‘Spoted Green Pigeon’ Caloenas maculata in the collections of the World Museum, Liverpool, has always been a mystery. No-one has ever doubted that it is a pigeon, and many researchers were convinced it was a distinct species. Although its taxonomic status remained unclear, it was ofcially declared extinct by BirdLife International in early 2008. Recent DNA analysis has now revealed that Spoted Green Pigeon can indeed be considered a distinct species within the extended Dodo Raphus cucullatus clade of morphologically very diverse pigeon species. Most members of this clade exhibit terrestrial or semi-terrestrial habits. Further morphological research into this unique specimen, initiated by the World Museum, demonstrates that Spoted Green Pigeon, in contrast to its fellow clade members, may have possessed strongly arboreal habits. The Spoted Green Pigeon Caloenas maculata, represented by a single specimen held in the scientifc collections of the World Museum, Liverpool, has always bafed ornithologists. Although its provenance is unknown, the confusion has mainly centred on whether it is a valid species; that the specimen is a pigeon has never been questioned. Because of its green-glossed plumage and slightly elongated hackles, it is usually assumed to be allied to Nicobar Pigeon C. nicobarica, although they share few other morphological features.
    [Show full text]
  • Contribution to the Knowledge of the New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon Ducula Goliath (Gray 1 859) with Emphasis on Sexual Dimorphism
    Notornis, 2003, Vol. 50: 155-160 0029-4470 O The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. 2003 Contribution to the knowledge of the New Caledonian imperial pigeon Ducula goliath (Gray 1 859) with emphasis on sexual dimorphism NICOLAS BARRE Institut Agronomique neo-Caledonien, BP 25, 98 890 Pai'ta, New-Caledonia barret3iac.n~ MICHEL DE GARINE WICHATITSKY Institut Agronomique neo-Caledonien, BP 25,98 890 Pai'ta, New-Caledonia RONAN LECOQ CIRAD-EMVT Campus International de Baillarguet, TA30/G, 34 398 Montpellier, France JEAN-CHARLES MAILLARD CIRAD-EMVT Campus International de Baillarguet, TA30/G, 34 398 Montpellier, France Abstract Hunters of the endemic imperial pigeon (Ducula goliath) or notou in the For@tPlate site, New Caledonia, in Apr 2001 and Mar 2002, allowed us to collect some biological material, measurements and de~~criptionsfrom 63 pigeons. The sample included 5 immature imperial pigeons, and 58 adults. Several measurements of adult birds differed significantly between the sexes: weight, body length, wing length, tail length, tarsus length, and head length and width being greater in males (n = 28) than females (n = 30). A cross-validated classification using a discriminant function analysis on these variables allowed 74 % of the birds to be correctly classified as male or female. None of We qualitative characters (colour of skin, bill, iris, feet, feathers) was different between the sexes. Sexing birds using a bio-molecular analysis proved to be 100% reliable. The small gonads and the thin wall of the midgut indicated that the notou were not breeding at the time of collection. They had completed, or almost so, their wing moult.
    [Show full text]
  • Ec) No 1332/2005
    19.8.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 215/1 I (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) NO 1332/2005 of 9 August 2005 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, of Namibia and South Africa), Euphorbia spp., Orchidaceae, Cistanche deserticola and Taxus wallichiana were amended. Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, (5) The species Malayemis subtrijuga, Notochelys platynota, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of Amyda cartilaginea, Carettochelys insculpta, Chelodina 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna mccordi, Uroplatus spp., Carcharodon carcharias (currently and flora by regulating trade therein (1), and in particular listed on Appendix III), Cheilinus undulatus, Lithophaga Article 19(3), thereof, lithophaga, Hoodia spp., Taxus chinensis, T. cuspidata, T. fuana, T. sumatrana), Aquilaria spp. (except for A. malaccensis, which was already listed in Appendix II), Whereas: Gyrinops spp. and Gonystylus spp. (previously listed in Appendix III) were included in Appendix II to the Convention. (1) At the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, hereinafter ‘the Convention’, held in Bangkok (Thailand) in October (6) The species Agapornis roseicollis was deleted from 2004, certain amendments were made to the Appendices Appendix II to the Convention. to the Convention. (2) The species Orcaella brevirostris, Cacatua sulphurea, Ama- zona finschi, Pyxis arachnoides and Chrysalidocarpus decipiens (7) Subsequent to the thirteenth session of the Conference of were transfered from Appendix II to the Convention to the Parties to the Convention, the Chinese populations of Appendix I thereto.
    [Show full text]
  • Breeding Status of Wild Doves in Bangladesh
    International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology Volume 6, Issue 1, 2020, PP 1-4 ISSN No. 2454-941X DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2454-941X.0601001 www.arcjournals.org Breeding Status of Wild Doves in Bangladesh Ashraful Kabir* Department of Biology, Saidpur Cantonment Public College, Nilphamari, Bangladesh *Corresponding Author: Ashraful Kabir, Department of Biology, Saidpur Cantonment Public College, Nilphamari, Bangladesh Out of 17 species of wild doves in Bangladesh their incubation period ranges from 12-20 and fledging 12-27 days. Within these 14 species were in Least Concern (LC), 2 Data Deficit (DD), and 1 Critically Endangered (CR). Among these maximum numbers were found in the genus Treron (6) then Streptopelia (4), Columba and Ducula each 2, and Spilopelia and Macropygia 1. Observed doves were bred mostly all the year round. For hunting or pet purpose people sometime catch them and rear in cage and ultimately birds’die. For strong ‘Wildlife Act’ now doves of Bangladesh are living well and are increasing everywhere in nature as well. On the basis of evolutionary sequences pigeons/doves have great significance. It has lots of connecting links which are very important for the study of evolution. In fancy pigeons, their tumbling behaviour is an exceptional and peculiar characteristic which came through mutation then modified by millions of thousands selective breeding. From the history, we have found that pigeon/dove keeping was an ancient hobby of people. Large-sized birds are called pigeon and small are dove; but this is not true always. For message sending, pigeons had great commitment in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhutan: Birding and Culture with Wilderness Birding Adventures
    Bhutan: Birding and Culture with Wilderness Birding Adventures November 7-26, 2016 Trip report by Aaron Lang Birding Bhutan is an adventure filled with incredible birds and mammals, wild forests, beautiful people and fascinating culture. It stands alone in the Himalayan region as a unique destination with intact forests, wildlife, culture, and economy. This small country is a place where rare and declining species, struggling to survive elsewhere, still thrive in the densely forested hills and mountains. This was our tenth trip to Bhutan since 2005. Our diverse group of 10 participants was especially keen and skilled at finding birds without the assistance of myself or of Sonam Dorji, our Bhutanese leader. This made an already enjoyable tour even more fun and exciting and in the end, the result was a longer list of birds, mammals, butterflies, and—this year—fish that were enjoyed by all. Our itinerary was roughly a loop that began and ended in Paro, stretching as far east as Yongkola and Gyelpozhing in the Mongar district and incorporating a piece of the Indian Plain along the Bhutan/India border from Sarpang to Gelephu. This southern border region is an area birded by very few other tours and the low elevation Indian Plain always holds surprises for us. The entire feel of the lowland border region—architecture, dress, cuisine, etc.—is quite different from the rest of Bhutan, where the mountains dominate daily life. I find this border country very exciting and it's always one of my favorite parts of the tour. Highlights of this tour were many, both birding and otherwise, and it's difficult to list them all here.
    [Show full text]