Polynesian Ground Dove - BirdForum Opus

Pampusana erythropterus

Alopecoenas erythropterus

Identification

This bird is endangered and it is believed that there are fewer than 250 birds. The male is black with a red-purple upper back, a white throat, chest, face and eyebrow. The females are red-brown, with a red-purple crown, neck and wing coverts.

Distribution

French Polynesia.

Taxonomy

Formerly placed in genus Gallicolumba by Clements.

Habitat

Subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, plantations , and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Behaviour

This bird used to be hunted for food, but it would appear that it has declined since the introduction of cats and rats on some islands.

References

1. 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/

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Polynesian Ground Dove. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Polynesian_Ground_Dove

External Links

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