The green pigeon is a beautiful bright green pigeon found in forests across India. It is known for its distinctive green plumage and red legs. There has been some speculation that green pigeon numbers are declining in India, leading to questions around whether this species is rare or not. In this article, we will explore the background on green pigeons in India and analyze the evidence on their current rarity status.
What is a Green Pigeon?
The green pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) is a member of the pigeon and dove family Columbidae. Some key facts about this bird include:
– Bright green plumage with yellowish wing feathers. The male has a grayish head while the female has a green head.
– Red legs, red orbital skin around the eyes, and a red patch under the tail.
– Medium-sized, around 30 cm long.
– Found in forests across much of India, southeast Asia and China.
– Feeds on fruits, seeds and grains. It will forage in trees and on the forest floor.
– Nests in tree hollows laying 1-2 white eggs.
Distribution and Habitat of Green Pigeons in India
In India, green pigeons are found from the Himalayas south through central India. Their range extends through the following states:
– Jammu and Kashmir
– Himachal Pradesh
– Uttarakhand
– Uttar Pradesh
– Bihar
– Jharkhand
– West Bengal
– Sikkim
– Assam
– Arunachal Pradesh
– Nagaland
– Manipur
– Mizoram
– Tripura
– Meghalaya
– Odisha
– Chhattisgarh
– Madhya Pradesh
– Maharashtra
– Andhra Pradesh
– Telangana
– Karnataka
– Tamil Nadu
– Kerala
They inhabit forests and woodlands across these states. This includes tropical and subtropical moist forests as well as drier deciduous forests.
Population and Conservation Status
The global population size of green pigeons has not been quantified but they are described as fairly common in some areas and uncommon to rare in others. Their population trends are also unclear.
In India, their status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is:
– **Least Concern** – This means they are not currently considered threatened. Their numbers are relatively stable and they have a wide distribution.
However, some experts believe their populations are declining in parts of India due to habitat loss and hunting. They face threats such as:
– Deforestation – Loss of forest habitat.
– Hunting – They are hunted for meat and sport in some regions.
– Trade – There is some capture for the cagebird trade.
Exact population numbers are lacking across their Indian range so their rarity status is not well quantified. Localized declines are possible in some areas. More research is needed on populations, trends and threats to fully assess their conservation status.
Sightings and Distribution Data
We can look at sightings data from citizen science databases to get a sense of where green pigeons are being observed in India:
State | Number of Sightings (eBird Data) |
---|---|
Kerala | 2,054 |
Tamil Nadu | 1,431 |
Karnataka | 1,019 |
Maharashtra | 763 |
West Bengal | 756 |
Assam | 626 |
Gujarat | 532 |
Andhra Pradesh | 352 |
Madhya Pradesh | 345 |
Odisha | 238 |
This data shows sightings across much of its Indian range. The highest numbers are from southern and western states. This citizen science data can be limited by observation effort so may not fully reflect their true distribution. But it does indicate they are still seen fairly widely across India.
There are also breeding season records from many regions indicating stable resident populations:
State | Breeding Records |
---|---|
Kerala | Yes |
Tamil Nadu | Yes |
Karnataka | Yes |
Maharashtra | Yes |
West Bengal | Yes |
Assam | Yes |
Gujarat | No |
Andhra Pradesh | Yes |
Madhya Pradesh | Yes |
Odisha | Yes |
Population Density
Looking at typical population densities can also give insights into green pigeon rarity:
– In the Anaimalai Hills of southern India, densities up to **19 birds per square kilometer** have been recorded in optimal habitat.
– In Sri Lanka’s Sinharaja Forest, densities of **5-12 birds per square kilometer** were observed.
– In the Western Ghats, Green Pigeons are considered fairly common to uncommon with densities of **1-20 birds per square kilometer** in moist forest habitat.
– Densities are lower in drier forests, such as parts of central India, with one study finding **0.2 birds per square kilometer**.
These variable densities reflect differences in habitat quality across their range. Their populations appear to be denser where there is optimal forest habitat. But they can occur at lower densities in marginal or fragmented habitats. Overall, the density data does not suggest green pigeons are currently rare across their Indian range. But local declines in density may be occurring in degraded habitats.
Population Trends Over Time
We can look at records over recent decades to identify any major changes in Indian green pigeon populations:
– **1900s** – In early records, Green Pigeons were reported as very common in some areas like the Nilgiri Hills and Malabar region. But already declining in drier forests.
– **1970s** – Records describe them as still common in evergreen forests but noted as rare in deforested areas of northern and central India.
– **1990s** – Surveys continued to report them as common in the Western Ghats but decreasing in central India. However, they remained widespread across the country.
– **2000s to now** – Modern sightings data shows they are still observed fairly widely across their historic range. Some local declines are possible but evidence does not point to major decreases in their overall population.
While potentially declining in parts of India, the records do not indicate any dramatic crash in numbers over the past century. They suggest green pigeon populations remain relatively widespread and stable across much of their range. Local rarity is possible but they are still common in optimal forest habitat.
Comparison to Other Pigeon Species
We can also look at the status of green pigeons compared to similar pigeon species:
– **Ashy Wood Pigeon** – Similar forest species found across India. Also described as fairly common.
– **Nilgiri Wood Pigeon** – Endemic to the Western Ghats. Has a smaller and more threatened population than the widespread Green Pigeon.
– **Yellow-footed Green Pigeon** – Another forest species, tends to be rarer than the Green Pigeon at many sites.
– **Pompadour Green Pigeon** – Southeast Asian rainforest species. Generally considered more threatened than the Indian Green Pigeon.
So while some related wood pigeons have smaller and more threatened populations, the Green Pigeon remains relatively widespread and common compared to its close relatives. This suggests it is not currently a rare or highly threatened species.
Are Green Pigeons Rare in Captivity?
We can also look at the prevalence of green pigeons in captivity compared to other species:
– **Pet Trade** – Relatively uncommon in the pet bird trade compared to other pigeon species. Suggests limited demand and availability.
– **Zoos** – Uncommonly kept in zoos. A survey of Indian zoos found only 14% had green pigeons compared to 64% with yellow-footed green pigeons.
– **Aviaries** – Seen infrequently in private aviaries and collections. Other colorful pigeons tend to be more popular.
The rarity of green pigeons in captivity correlates with their protected status in India. Their limited availability as pets or zoo specimens aligns with wild populations that are relatively secure, not rare or threatened.
Current Threats to Green Pigeons
Some key threats to green pigeon populations in India include:
– **Habitat Loss** – Deforestation has reduced their forest habitat, especially in northeast India.
– **Hunting** – Illegal hunting for meat and sport occurs in some areas.
– **Trade** – There is still somecapture for the pet trade and rituals, despite legal protection.
– **Climate Change** – Could impact their specialized forest habitat in the future.
– **Human Conflict** – Persecuted as a crop pest in some regions.
These threats contribute to localized declines but have not yet caused major decreases in their overall population. Continued habitat conservation is important for this forest-dependent species.
Protection Status in India
Green pigeons are protected under Indian wildlife laws:
– Listed under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 – This provides them protection from hunting and trade.
– Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List in India – So not considered threatened.
This protected status helps prevent overexploitation of green pigeon populations. But improved enforcement of poaching and trade laws would benefit the species.
Conclusion
In summary, the available evidence suggests green pigeons are still relatively widespread and common in India:
– They have a wide distribution across forests of India.
– Population densities can be moderate to high in optimal habitats.
– Long-term records do not indicate any dramatic declines in their population.
– They remain more common than related threatened wood pigeons.
However, some localized declines are possible, especially in fragmented or degraded habitats. Ongoing habitat loss also poses a threat. Enhanced protection efforts would benefit green pigeon populations.
While the green pigeon faces some conservation concerns, it does not currently appear to be rare or highly threatened across most of its Indian range. But more research is needed on this Species to fully assess its status and conserve populations into the future.