- Madeiran Wood Pigeon
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Madeiran Wood Pigeon Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Genus: Columba Species: C. palumbus Subspecies: C. p. maderensis Trinomial name Columba palumbus maderensis
(Tschusi, 1904)The Madeiran Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus maderensis) was an endemic subspecies of the Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) for Madeira (Portugal). This Wood Pigeon is endemic to the Laurel forest habitat.
The Madeiran Wood Pigeon closely resembled the mainland Wood Pigeon of Europe, but the plumage was somewhat darker, especially on the upperparts and under wing-coverts. The vinous-pink of the breast was more extensive.
The German ornithologist Ernst Schmitz lived on the island of Madeira by 1896-1906, a time when the Madeiran Wood Pigeon was already rare. Despite great efforts, Schmitz managed to collect only a few specimens and eggs. In May 1924, no Madeiran Wood Pigeon was found, nor was any seen in later years, not even by local pigeon hunters. This subspecies is most likely extinct now.[1]
References
- ^ Prins, G. "Columba palumbus maderensis". Zoological Museum Amsterdam. http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/zma3d/detail.php?id=192&sort=taxon&type=family. Retrieved 9 August 2010
See also
External links
Categories:- Extinct birds
- Columba
- Bird extinctions since 1500
- Fauna of Madeira
- Animals described in 1904
- Columbiformes stubs
- Autonomous Region of Madeira stubs
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