The pink-necked green pigeon (Treron vernans) is a beautiful bird found across tropical southern Asia. With their bright pink necks, green bodies, and long tails, these pigeons stand out against the lush forests they inhabit. But are pink-necked green pigeons rare? Let’s take a closer look at this eye-catching bird.
What is a Pink-Necked Green Pigeon?
The pink-necked green pigeon is a medium-sized pigeon belonging to the genus Treron. They are found from India and Sri Lanka east to southern China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These pigeons inhabit forests and woodlands, often near bodies of water.
Some key facts about the pink-necked green pigeon:
Scientific Name | Treron vernans |
Other Names | Pink-necked pigeon, pink-necked fruit pigeon |
Length | 28-30 cm (11-12 in) |
Wingspan | 47-53 cm (18.5–21 in) |
Weight | 150–170 g (5.3–6.0 oz) |
As their name suggests, pink-necked green pigeons have bright pink patches on the sides and front of their necks. The rest of the body is mainly green, with a gray head and breast. The tail is gray with a black subterminal band. The bill is reddish-orange and the legs and eyes are red.
Males and females look similar, but juveniles have a duller green color and less pink on the neck. After molting, the juveniles develop the bright pink neck patches.
Range and Habitat
Pink-necked green pigeons are found across tropical southern Asia. Their range stretches from India and Sri Lanka eastward through southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and on to Indonesia and the Philippines.
These birds inhabit a variety of wooded habitats including:
– Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
– Mangrove forests
– Bamboo groves
– Parks and gardens with tall trees
They are often found near lakes, rivers, and other wetlands where they can access drinking water. However, they avoid dense primary tropical rainforests.
Within their widespread range, pink-necked green pigeons can be locally common in some regions while rare or absent in others. For example, they are abundant on the Indian subcontinent but rare in the Philippines.
Diet and Behavior
Pink-necked green pigeons feeds primarily on fruits and berries. Wild figs are a highly preferred food. They also eat seeds, flower petals, and buds. The pigeons swallow fruit whole and crush the seeds and pits in their muscular gizzard.
These pigeons are agile and acrobatic fliers. They are usually found alone or in small groups, often mixing with other fruit-eating pigeon species. They roost communally in large trees at night.
Pink-necked green pigeons breed from March to October in India, coinciding with peak fruit availability. The male performs a bowing display to attract the female. Nests consist of a flimsy platform of twigs built in a tree or shrub. The female lays 1-2 white eggs which hatch after 14-16 days. The chicks fledge in about 3 weeks.
Population and Conservation Status
The global population size of the pink-necked green pigeon has not been quantified. The species as a whole is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, its status varies across its wide range:
- Common to abundant in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand
- Uncommon in Malaysia and Indonesia
- Rare in China and the Philippines
In India, pink-necked green pigeons are considered common, with their population estimated at over 100,000 mature individuals. In contrast, there are likely less than 10,000 individuals total in the Philippines.
Habitat loss is the major threat facing this species. Deforestation has led to declining populations in parts of Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia where lowland forests have been extensively cleared.
Hunting for food and sport is another significant pressure in some areas. Pink-necked green pigeons are prized as game and targeted by poachers in several countries. Collection of chicks from nests also occurs.
But despite these threats, the pink-necked green pigeon remains widely distributed. Ongoing habitat loss and hunting pressure make it important to monitor populations that are small or declining. Protecting forest habitats will be key to the long-term survival of this colorful pigeon across its range.
Are Pink-Necked Green Pigeons Rare Globally?
On a global scale, the pink-necked green pigeon is evaluated as Least Concern and cannot be considered rare or threatened. The species occupies a massive range stretching from India to the Philippines, encompassing nine countries and an estimated global extent of 1 million square kilometers.
While pink-necked green pigeon populations have declined locally in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, the species remains common to abundant over extensive areas of South Asia. Hundreds of thousands likely exist in India alone. This suggests the global population is quite large, even if an exact number is uncertain.
The pink-necked green pigeon also exhibits biological traits that make the species intrinsically resilient against extinction. These include:
- High reproductive rate – lays up to 2 eggs per clutch and can breed multiple times per year
- Generalist diet – eats a variety of wild fruits and berries
- Adapts readily to human-altered environments – frequents gardens and city parks
Furthermore, as an agile and far-ranging flier, this pigeon can evade localized threats by dispersing to neighboring areas of suitable habitat. While deforestation is a concern, large tracts of forest remain intact across the species’ range.
For these reasons, the pink-necked green pigeon is not considered globally threatened or rare. However, more research is needed to estimate total population size and trends to clarify the species’ true conservation status.
Is the Pink-Necked Green Pigeon Rare in Specific Countries?
While pink-necked green pigeons remain common and widespread in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, the species is rare to uncommon in parts of its range. Populations in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are small and declining.
In these countries, the pink-necked green pigeon has a restricted range and relatively low numbers:
- China – Fewer than 10,000 individuals remaining. Restricted to small pockets of southwestern Guangxi province.
- Malaysia – Declining population estimated at 10,000-100,000 individuals. Only found on the Malay Peninsula.
- Indonesia – No population estimates. Scattered populations on Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
- Philippines – Fewer than 10,000 individuals. Localized on major islands of Luzon, Mindanao, and Mindoro.
Habitat loss poses the most imminent threat to the species in these countries, as lowland forests have declined precipitously. Hunting pressure and collection of chicks from nests exacerbates these threats for small, declining populations.
Although not yet endangered, the pink-necked green pigeon warrants increased conservation attention across Southeast Asia. Focusing protection efforts in areas with small, fragmented populations will help prevent further declines.
Efforts to Protect the Pink-Necked Green Pigeon
While not globally threatened, targeted conservation action is needed for pink-necked green pigeon populations that are small or declining. Here are some recommended actions:
Habitat Protection
Preventing further loss of natural forest habitats is paramount. Protected areas should be established or expanded in regions with vulnerable populations. For example, in the Philippines most remaining birds are found in forest fragments on Mounts Banahaw and Isarog. Conserving these highland forests could help secure the future of the species in that country.
Anti-hunting Enforcement
Strengthening enforcement against poaching and trapping wild pigeons for food, sport, or the pet trade is needed, especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and China. Park rangers and hunting regulators must curb these illegal activities that disproportionately impact small populations.
Nest Protection Programs
In locations where egg and chick collection is common, nest protection programs engaging local communities could help reduce unsustainable harvesting from wild nests. Financial incentives to conserve nests combined with hatchery-based rearing can relieve pressure on wild populations.
Population Monitoring
Improved monitoring is required to accurately assess population trends, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia where status is poorly known. Updated surveys using standardized methods across the region could shed light on populations most in need of conservation action.
Captive Breeding
Maintaining captive assurance colonies of pink-necked green pigeons from highly threatened populations could serve as a safeguard. Chicks produced in captivity could be used to restock depleted forests. Zoos and aviculturists have an important role to play in this regard.
Conclusion
The pink-necked green pigeon has an extensive global range and large overall population. While the species is not currently considered threatened, localized populations in Southeast Asia are vulnerable and declining due to habitat loss and over-hunting.
Targeted conservation programs that protect key forest habitats, enforce hunting regulations, monitor wild populations, and maintain captive backup flocks could prevent the pink-necked green pigeon from becoming endangered in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This iconic tropical pigeon deserves continued study and stewardship throughout its Asian range.