| Bonin wood pigeon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1832 illustration by Heinrich von Kittlitz | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Columbiformes |
| Family: | Columbidae |
| Genus: | Columba |
| Species: | †C. versicolor |
| Binomial name | |
| †Columba versicolor Kittlitz, 1832 | |
TheBonin wood pigeon (Columba versicolor) was apigeonendemic toNakodo-jima andChichi-jima in theOgasawara Islands, south ofJapan.[2] It is known from four recorded specimens, the first from 1827 and the last from 1889.[3] They averaged a length of 45 cm. This pigeon died out late in the 19th century as a result ofdeforestation, hunting, andpredation by introducedrats andcats.[4]
The Bonin wood pigeon was a medium-sizedpigeon, with an average length of 45 cm. The upper parts of the pigeon's body were greyish-black withiridescence except on wing and tail. Crown has a green-purple iridescence, mantle to rump iridescent reflectingviolet,amethyst andturquoise. Scapulars and remaining mantle glossed golden green withbronze reflections; wing coverts with dark turquoise green suffused with deep blue. The uppertail of the pigeon coverts broadly tipped with golden green. Breast to belly fringed with deep green and violet iridescence, being strongest on the breast. Iris blue or probably dark blue;bill greenish yellow having a pale tip; legs and the feet were dark red.
The last specimen of the Bonin wood pigeon was collected in the forests of Nakodo-Jima,Japan, on September 15, 1889.[5]
Their eggs were particularly vulnerable tocrows and other natural predators. They normally laid two eggs and the eggs usually took 17 to 19 days to hatch, just like extant wood pigeons.
.jpg) | ThisColumbiformes-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
