Nilgiri Wood-pigeon

Taxobox
name = Nilgiri Woodpigeon
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down


image_width = 200px
image_caption = Nilgiri Woodpigeon "Columba elphinstonii"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Columbiformes
familia = Columbidae
genus = "Columba"
species = "C. elphinstonii"
binomial = "Columba elphinstonii"
binomial_authority = (Sykes, 1832)
range_

The Nilgiri Woodpigeon ("Columba elphinstonii") is a bird endemic to moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. They are identified in the field by the checkerboard pattern on their napes.

This pigeon species qualifies as vulnerable owing to its small, declining population, restricted range and widespread destruction of its forest habitat. [ [http://www.rdb.or.id/detailbird.php?id=316 Red Data Book Asia] ] A few relict populations survive on the high altitude hills of the peninsula outside the Western Ghats formation including the Biligirirangan Hills and Nandi Hills near Bangalore.

The binomial commemorates the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone (1779-1859).

Notes

References

* Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2464&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]
* [http://www.listeningearth.com.au/pages/IndiaBirds/IndiaBirds2_4.html Photograph of the bird]