Columba argentina
The Silvery Pigeon (*Columba argentina*) is a striking and enigmatic member of the Columbidae family, distinguished by its elegant bicolored plumage. Measuring approximately 34-38 cm in length, adults exhibit a pearlescent silver-grey head, neck, and underparts, contrasting sharply with the darker, almost blackish primaries and secondary coverts of its wings and tail. Key field marks include a prominent red orbital ring surrounding dark eyes and bright red legs, providing a splash of color ag...
This species inhabits primary lowland evergreen rainforests, especially along coasts and on small offshore islands, often utilizing mangrove forests. It is typically found at very low elevations, usually below 100 meters.
The Silvery Pigeon is primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits and berries, supplemented with some seeds. It forages arboreally, plucking items directly from trees in the forest canopy.
The Silvery Pigeon is a diurnal and highly reclusive species, making detailed behavioral studies exceptionally challenging. It typically forages silently and secretively in the forest canopy, gleaning fruits and seeds from trees. While usually observed singly or in pairs, small groups may sometim...
The historical range of the Silvery Pigeon spanned parts of Southeast Asia, with records from Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and potentially even the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as mainland Thailand and Myanmar. Today, its distribution is severely restricted and highly fragmented, primarily conf...
Critically Endangered
- The Silvery Pigeon was considered extinct for over 70 years before its rediscovery in 1981, earning it the nickname "Lazarus species. - Its striking bicolored plumage—silver-grey body with dark flight feathers—is unique among most *Columba* pigeons. - It is one of the world's rarest pigeon spec...