Thick-billed Ground Dove

The San Cristobal - Dove ( Gallicolumba salamonis ) is an extinct pigeon from the genus of Indo-Pacific Earth Dove ( Gallicolumba ).

Description

Little is known about the San - Cristobal - pigeon. Its length was 26 cm. The coloration of the head, throat and chest shield was light beige. The maroon top with a pale purple gloss on the shoulders and the small wing-coverts games contrasted with the chocolate-colored belly. She had a thick brown beak and red legs.

Distribution and habitat

Its distribution area were the Solomon Islands Makira (formerly San Cristobal ) and Ramos, a tiny island that belongs to Malaita. Here they probably preferred dry beach forests.

Extinction

The San Cristobal Pigeon is known only from two specimens were found in 1882 and 1927. The holotype is in the Australian Museum in Sydney. Rats, feral dogs and cats as well as the felling of forests in the valleys appear to have led to its extinction. Although they have not seen since the 1920s, it was officially declared by the IUCN in 2005 to be extinct.