#caloenas

[herpsandbirds]

Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica), family Columbidae, order Columbiformes, found in islands and coastal regions of South and SE Asia and the Australasian Archipelago

photograph by Alex Han (@alexhan_wildlife)

[haveyouseenthisbirdpoll]

photo source

[critter-captures]

Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica), family Columbidae (doves and pigeons)

The closest living relative of the dodo and the Rodrigues solitaire.

Avifauna, taken July 2024

[amnhnyc]

Did you know? This colorful bird might be one of the Dodo’s closest living relatives! Meet the Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica). This bird lives in forest or mangrove habitats on islands, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Like some other birds and reptiles, it has a gizzard stone in its stomach that helps break down tougher foods in its diet, like the hard exteriors of seeds and nuts.

Photo: Mykola Swarnyk, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

[all-iridescent-birds]

Strutting in as our next bird; the Nicobar pigeon.

The nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is a pretty good sized pigeon from India! The bird, while known for its fantastic, beaming rainbow iridescent feathers is also known for being the closest living relative of the dodo (yes, the dodo was a pigeon!) and also near threatened. It is also the only living member in its genus. Amazing!

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

Habitat & Distribution

Found on the Nicobar islands in the eastern Indian Ocean

Can reside in rainforests, deciduous forests, mangroves, and scrubland

Physical Description

Weight: Up to 0.5 kg (21 oz)

Wingspan: 53 to 58 cm (21 to 23 in)

The head and long neck ruff are gray, but the body sports shiny copper and metallic green plumage

Behaviour

Like most pigeons, the Nicobar pigeon congregates in large flocks

They spend the day foraging for seeds and fruit both on the ground and in the canopy

At night they roost on offshore islets that lack predators

Monkeys and humans are the main hunters of Nicobar pigeons

Key Advantages

Capable of rapid takeoff and flight

The strong, hooked bill is able to crack open extremely hard nuts and can deliver a serious bite

Photo by the Lincoln Park Zoo

[columbidaecontest]

[ID: two images of doves, the first being the Galápagos dove. orange-brown with dark brown patterned wings and light blue around its eyes, along with a brown and white stripe. the second, the Nicobar pigeon, large, multicoloured, covered in long, iridescent feathers stands on a tree.]

[itsanauxine]

FINALLY, the mega bird post with the angels (and Crowley!) that I’ve been working on for like a week lmao

Crowley is a European Storm Petrel, (Hydrobates Pelagicus) which in folklore is referred to as Mother Carey’s Chickens. This comes from sailors who would see this bird right before storms and believe that they brought bad luck and cursed them with the storm, and Mother Carey comes from another folk tale where she is portrayed as a siren to lure sailors to sea. I thought Crowley’s demon-ness fit this quite well haha

Gabriel is a Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenaes Nicobarica) which is the closest non-extinct relative of the Dodo bird. I saw an image of this bird in a book and immediately thought ‘oh hey it looks like a pompous jerk’ so BOOM Gabriel lmao

Sandalphon is an Egyptian Swift Pigeon (Columbia Livia?) because Sandalphon the angel in the Bible was a mess anger of God, and Egyptian Swift Pigeons used to be specifically bred to be carrier pigeons. Now they’re mainly bred for show :D

Uriel is a European Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris) which are relatively common in Great Britain and Ireland. They have gold speck-like markings all over their bodies so I thought it fit visually

Michael is a Kori Bustard (Ardeotis Kori) which is the largest flying bird in Africa. I chose this one because Michael the angel is a warrior and probably the strongest of the archangels and the Kori Bustard is carnivorous. And also very strong

Aziraphale is a dove :D

[whateverbringsyouthroughthenight]

The beautiful Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) may be the closest living relative of the extinct Dodo (Raphus cucullatus)

[wildpixar]

Pimp my Dove! 💎🌟 Nicobar Pigeon or Nicobar Dove (Caloenas Nicobarica) #pimpmydove #dove #doves #nicobarpigeon #nicobardove #caloenasnicobarica #lakktuvi #hartiahuivikyyhky #nicobaracamail #kragentaube #caloenasnicobarica #Nicobardue #manenduif #Nikobarczyk #pombodenicobar #nikobarduva #birdphotography #instabird — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/XA7TL2O

[herpsandbirds]

Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica), family Columbidae, found in coastal regions of South and SE Asia and the Australasian Archipelago

photograph by Eli Finkelstein

[naturecopy]

🔥Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)Considered one of the most beautiful species of pigeons, these island birds have dark slate grey body with iridescent blue-green and copper-bronze upperparts. Their lustrous feathers are further glamorized with glistening neck hackles and contrasting white tail.

[the-last-outpost]

The Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is the closest living relative to the Dodo. Photographed at Sedgwick County Zoo #nicobarpigeon #pigeons #pigeonsofinstagram #dodo #zoos #zoosmatter #zoophotography #zoophoto #sedgwickcountyzoo https://www.instagram.com/p/Cph8LUfujBL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jaochewan]

Nicobar Pigon นกชาปีไหน (Caloenas nicibarica) (ที่ สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CleM3pvBIO4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[animalids]

Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

Photo by Valerie

[quickwitter]

NICOBAR PIGEON Caloenas nicobarica ©Laura Quick The Nicobar pigeon is one of the closest living relatives to the dodo, a bird which is now extinct. This pigeon is found on the small islands and coastal regions from the Nicobar Islands in India, UNESCO has declared the Great Nicobar Island as one of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It has beautiful iridescent feathering. #nicobar #pigeon #Caloenas nicobarica #©lauraquick #lazoo #aviary #naturephotography #losangeleszooandbotanicalgardens #lazoo #glaza #photojourney #losangeles #usa #california #travel #india #nicobarislands #unescosite #worldbiome #travelphotography #zoo #beautiful #saturdaysatthezoo #ladocentprogram https://www.instagram.com/p/B8WbxiGnkWx/?igshid=wzsen2rciova