Marquesan Ground Dove

The Marquesen Ground Dove ( Gallicolumba rubescens ) is a pigeon with reduced flight ability, which can also be seen on the skeleton of the bird. Despite this reduced flying ability is very common nowadays on two islands of the Marquesas, namely Hatuta'a and Fatu Huku and formerly lived on some other, perhaps even all the islands of the archipelago. These include Tahuata, probably Nuku Hiva.

The two islands on which the pigeon still lives, are uninhabited and cats free. Their population was estimated at 1975 Hatuta'a to 225 birds and 1987 was about the same size. On Fatu Huku the population in the 90 years was estimated to be 10-100. The species is listed as endangered since this population sizes are too small to ensure survival of a species in the long run and is always the danger that accidentally species such as cats or similar predators are introduced to such islands. On the other islands the species was probably exterminated by cats.

The species inhabits wooded regions, groves of Pisonia grandis and bushy vegetation. It feeds mainly on seeds. On Hatuta'a the birds live mainly on the high plateau of the island and embark rarely down to sea level.

Swell

• Doves and Pigeons