Columba pulchricollis
The Ashy Wood Pigeon (*Columba pulchricollis*) is a medium-sized, strikingly marked pigeon inhabiting the high-altitude montane forests of Asia. Measuring 34-37 cm in length, it is characterized by its distinctive ashy-grey head, neck, and underparts, contrasting sharply with a rich chestnut mantle and dark slate-grey back. Its neck sides often display a subtle iridescent green and purple sheen, enhancing its elegant appearance, while a prominent yellow bill with a reddish base and a bright r...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, as well as temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests, typically at elevations ranging from 1,500 to over 4,000 meters.
Mainly frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of wild fruits and berries, supplemented by seeds, buds, and young shoots; primarily forages arboreally.
Ashy Wood Pigeons are diurnal, spending their days foraging actively in the forest canopy and understory, often seen in pairs or small, loose flocks, occasionally forming larger congregations at abundant fruiting trees. Their foraging strategy primarily involves plucking fruits and berries direct...
The Ashy Wood Pigeon is a resident species distributed across the eastern Himalayas and mountainous regions of Southeast Asia. Its range extends from northern India (Uttarakhand eastward through Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, and Bhutan, eastward into Myanmar, northern Thailand, Laos, and northern Vi...
Least Concern
- The Ashy Wood Pigeon's scientific name, *Columba pulchricollis*, translates to "beautiful-necked pigeon," a fitting description for its iridescent plumage. - Unlike many pigeons that frequent urban or agricultural areas, this species is a true denizen of pristine, high-altitude montane forests....