There are an estimated 20 of these birds left in the wild, and 200 in captivity. [9], The feeding stations that provide supplementary feed may accelerate the spread of disease between individuals, who congregate at greater than normal numbers at stations. The MWF and other organizations are providing supplemental feeding stations that offer diet items like whole wheat. Endemic to the island and surrounding islets, the Pink … In the 2018 Red List update, the Pink Pigeon Nesoenas mayeri was downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable, building upon the success of 2000, when it was downlisted from Critically Endangered to Endangered. The pink pigeon made a miraculous recovery from just ten birds in 1990 to currently around four hundred, however, the species is severely hindered by its endangered status. Captive pink pigeons bred for reintroduction were managed to maximise founder representation and minimise inbreeding. There are now 470 pink pigeons in the wild. Animal Behavior 99: 83-88. The captive breeding and reintroduction program initiated and supported by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and largely carried out by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has resulted in a population of about 400 in the wild in 2018, as well as a healthy captive population as backup. The plight of the endangered Mauritian birds attracted the attention of ornithologists beginning in the early 1970s, who went to the island to study them. Animal Behavior 99: 83-88. Recent DNA analyses suggest its nearest relative is the geographically close Malagasy turtle dove (Streptopelia picturata), and it has thus been suggested that it be placed in the genus Streptopelia, which mostly contains turtle doves. Search for an endangered species profile. Pink Pigeons, endemic to the island of Mauritius, face a challenging road to recovery as conservationists begin to slowly release captive-bred individuals to the wild. These creamy-faced birds have a soft, rose-colored head and pinkish-brown feathers. In 1994, there were only 77 left in the wild.These creamy-faced birds have a soft, rose-colored head and pinkish-brown feathers. Progress as the pink pigeon is down-listed to Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is the only Mascarene pigeon that has not gone extinct. Destruction of such primal forests has been a major reason for its decline. Endangered Pink Pigeons treat calls of the ubiquitous Madagascan turtle dove as conspecific. The territorial call of the male pink pigeon is a series of coos. This article is only an excerpt. The pink pigeon is currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, having been downlisted from Endangered in 2018 and Critically Endangered in 2000. In the year 2000, the IUCN downgraded the species from “critically endangered” to “endangered.” They’re not out of the woods yet, but their recovery remains an impressive and rare example of good news in conservation. new Creature Feature is posted? Extinction loomed in the 1990s, when under ten wild pigeons remained. Mating is generally monogamous, with the pair making a flimsy platform nest and defending a small area around it (even though the pigeons initially had no natural predators, one mating pair must defend their territory from other mating pairs). The Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) is an Endangered species on the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.The existence of the species is somewhat of a miracle considering that in the 1990’s its population fell to an alarming 10 individuals. [11], An ongoing concern faced by the pink pigeon, as by many endangered species that exist in small remnant populations, is inbreeding depression. A major concern for the species' recovery has been the potential genetic problem of inbreeding. Last year, one of Mauritius’ best-loved birds hit a milestone that delighted the conservation world. The species has been downlisted from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2018. [1], The breeding season of the pink pigeon begins in August–September, although birds may breed all year round. Although now widespread in the Pink Pigeon, the origin of T. gallinae infection in the species is unclear. [1], The book Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons by Gerald Durrell describes the conservation efforts.[12]. [1], As of 2016, there are five locations places where wild populations of the pink pigeon can be found. The Pink Pigeon Nesoenas mayeri could easily have gone the way of its infamous fellow Mauritius endemic, the Dodo Raphus cucullatus. Pink Pigeon was severely threatened by 1970’s and by 1980’s only about 12 of the species were left. Endangered pink pigeons are rare in the wild and seldom seen in zoos. More to come soon. Nesoenas mayeri. [1], The species prefers upland evergreen forests, but is equally at home in coastal forests as long as the vegetation is native and not dominated by introduced species such as Chinese Guava (Psidium cattleianum) or the privet (Ligustrum robustum). https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22690392A131665077.en, "Systematics, morphology, and ecology of pigeons and doves (Aves: Columbidae) of the Mascarene Islands, with three new species", "A molecular phylogeny of the dove genera, 20.500.11755/a92515bb-c1c6-4c0e-ae9a-849936c41ca2, "Red List: Northern Bald Ibis, Pink Pigeon making a comeback", "Welcome to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) - In The Field - Mauritius - Pink Pigeon", "Pink Pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) - BirdLife species factsheet", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pink_pigeon&oldid=989317207, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Bunbury, Nancy; Stidworthy, Mark F.; Greenwood, Andrew G.; Jones, Carl G.; Sawmy, Shiva; Cole, Ruth; Edmunds, Kelly; Bell, Diana J. 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