Choiseul Pigeon Breed Guide: Everything You Need to Know
The Choiseul pigeon was a bird species that went extinct. It lived only on Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands. Unfortunately, there aren’t detailed observations of its behavior due to its extinction.
However, it’s believed to have been a ground-dwelling bird that laid a single egg in a shallow nest on the ground. These pigeons roosted in pairs or small groups in shrubs and were known to be quite approachable. They inhabited lowland forests, especially in swampy coastal areas without mangroves.
Both male and female Choiseul pigeons had a bluish-grey plumage with an orange belly. One of their distinctive features was a unique, long, and rounded crest with a hairy texture.
In this article, I’ll cover Choiseul pigeons’ history, appearance, characteristics, breeding habits and other notable traits.
Origin and Distribution of Choiseul Pigeon
The Choiseul pigeon (Microgoura meeki) was first described by Walter Rothschild in 1904, based on six specimens and an egg collected by Albert Stewart Meek in the same year. This bird was native to Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands, and there are unverified reports of it possibly inhabiting nearby islands.
Sadly, the last confirmed sighting of the Choiseul pigeon was in 1904, and the last unconfirmed report dates back to the early 1940s, leading to its classification as extinct. Indigenous accounts attribute its extinction to the introduction of cats, as the bird had never encountered carnivorous mammals on Choiseul.
The Choiseul pigeon was a large ground-dwelling bird that lived in lowland forests, including coastal areas without mangroves. Its most distinctive feature was a long, round crest with a unique hairy texture.
The local people of Choiseul Island affectionately called the Choiseul pigeon “kukuru-ni-lova,” meaning “pigeon-belong-ground.” It was the only known species in the Microgoura genus and had no known subspecies.
Choiseul Pigeon’s Appearance & Characteristics
The Choiseul pigeon, about the size of a chicken, had a distinct appearance. It featured a bluish-grey body with an orange belly and a unique slaty-blue crest. While its crest resembled crowned pigeons in Papua New Guinea, it differed from Groura crowned pigeons.
The Choiseul pigeon had a black forehead and face front, while the rest of its head had a sparse, reddish hue. Its back had a touch of grey, blending into a brownish tint on the lower body, tail, and wings. The legs were purplish-red, and its tail sported a dark purple hue, contrasting with the black feathers on the head and body.
This pigeon, belonging to the Microgoura genus, was solitary in its species, with no known subspecies. They were known for their docile nature, even allowing hunters to approach them on their roosts.
What are the Key Differences Between Choiseul Pigeons and Common Bronzewing Pigeons?
The key differences between Choiseul pigeons and the common bronzewing pigeon breed lie in their physical characteristics and habitat. Choiseul pigeons are known for their vibrant green and blue feathers, while common bronzewing pigeons have brown and grey plumage. Additionally, Choiseul pigeons are indigenous to the Solomon Islands, whereas the common bronzewing pigeon breed is found in Australia.
Breeding Habits of Choiseul Pigeons
The Choiseul pigeon was a ground-dwelling bird that resided in lowland forests, including coastal areas without mangroves. Remarkably, it was known for its tameness, allowing hunters to approach it on its roosts.
These pigeons had a unique nesting style, with both males and females participating in building a burrow-like nest. They laid a single egg in an unlined depression in the ground.
Interestingly, the indigenous people of Choiseul Island didn’t breed these pigeons but instead tracked their roosting spots in the lowland forests. These pigeons typically roosted in pairs or small groups of three or four, often in low shrubs close to the ground.
Unfortunately, the Choiseul pigeon’s breeding habits remain shrouded in mystery, as it went extinct before significant field observations could be conducted.
Are There Any Closest Living Columbidae Relatives of Choiseul Pigeon?
The Columbidae family, home to pigeons and doves, consists of approximately 333 to 356 existing species, with 18 having gone extinct in modern times. The Choiseul pigeon is among these extinct species. Unfortunately, it vanished before researchers could thoroughly study its characteristics.
The Choiseul pigeon was the sole member of the Microgoura genus, and no subspecies have been identified. Its closest living relative is believed to be the thick-billed ground pigeon (Trugon Terrestris), commonly found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Some researchers have speculated that the Choiseul pigeon might have bridged the gap between the thick-billed ground pigeon and the Goura crowned pigeons. But it exhibited distinct differences from the Goura crowned pigeons.
Final Thoughts
The Choiseul pigeon was a bird native to Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands. It didn’t migrate and called the forest floor of lowland forests, including coastal areas without mangroves, its home. This pigeon was relatively large and had a unique, long, rounded crest with a hairy texture. Unfortunately, its breeding habits remain a mystery, as it disappeared before detailed observations were possible.
Its closest living relative is believed to be the thick-billed ground pigeon. The Choiseul pigeon was the only member of the Microgoura genus, with no known subspecies. Sadly, the introduction of cats, a new threat for the bird, likely contributed to its extinction, as it had never encountered such predators on Choiseul.
The extinction of the Choiseul pigeon reminds us of the crucial need for conservation efforts to safeguard endangered species and their environments.