Columba elphinstonii
The Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is a majestic and elusive member of the pigeon family, endemic to the Western Ghats of India. This large, stocky pigeon measures approximately 42 cm (16.5 inches) in length, adorned in a dark slate-grey plumage that provides excellent camouflage in its dense forest habitat. A striking black-and-white checkered patch on its hind-neck, resembling a collar, is a key identification feature, complemented by an iridescent greenish-purple sheen on its u...
Dense evergreen and moist deciduous forests, sholas, and coffee plantations, primarily found at elevations ranging from 600m to 2500m.
Primarily frugivorous, feeding on a diverse array of fruits and berries (e.g., wild figs, laurels, Elaeocarpus species) plucked directly from the canopy, supplemented with buds and shoots.
This shy and secretive pigeon is largely arboreal and diurnal, spending most of its time foraging quietly in the upper canopy, making it difficult to observe. It forages solitarily or in small, loose groups, meticulously plucking fruits, berries, and buds from trees, occasionally descending to th...
The Nilgiri Wood Pigeon is strictly endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range in peninsular India. Its distribution spans across the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, concentrated in specific hill ranges such as the Nilgiris, Anaimalai, Palni Hills, Brahmagiris, and...
Vulnerable
- It is one of the largest pigeons found in India, often surprising observers with its substantial size. - Its distinctive black-and-white checkered nape patch is a unique 'collar' that helps distinguish it from other wood pigeons. - The species is endemic to the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Her...