- Pampusana canifrons
Alopecoenas canifrons
Identification
22cm. Sexually monomorphic.
Tiny dove. Grey forehead and crown, light rufous brown nape and back, metallic bronze rump and uppertail coverts. Ear coverts grey, chin and throat white, sides of breast and flanks grey, centre of breast white, washed pink. Belly to undertail coverts blackish brown. Scapulars bronzy green, wing coverts purplish bronze, orange margins to primaries. Broad pale margins to bronzy green tail.
Bare parts :- Bill black, legs pale pink, eye black with a pink eye ring.
Voice :- Low "coo" upslurred at end. Can utter a series of these lasting 1 - 2 minutes. Also low moan.
Distribution
Palau Islands: Rare on Babeldoab and (un)common on Chelbacheb (Rock Islands).
This bird was virtually eliminated during the war. It was listed as endangered under the ESCA in 1970 (35 FR 8495) based on data from military surveys done shortly after the U.S. invasion of Angaur and Peleliu in 1944.
Since the end of World War II, it has returned to near original abundances and is not faced with any foreseeable threats.
Taxonomy
Formerly placed in genus Gallicolumba by Clements.
Habitat
Rough grasslands, clearings.
Behaviour
Almost always found on the ground. Flushes almost underfoot, flies a short distance before dropping. rather secretive but very territorial so once found can be picked up at the same site day after day.
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2023. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2023. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Palau Ground Dove. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Palau_Ground_Dove
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
