Santa Cruz Ground Dove
The Santa Cruz - Dove ( Gallicolumba sanctaecrucis ) is a species of pigeons birds. It is found only in Southeast Asia. The IUCN assigns this waldbewohnende species as endangered ( vulnerable ) because the population is very small and the species has been observed in recent years in only two areas. It belongs to the species whose existence is threatened by introduced predators.
Appearance
The Santa Cruz Ground Dove reaches a body length of 23 centimeters. It is slightly smaller than a turtle dove, but has the body shape as it is characteristic of other Earth Dove.
Head and neck of the Santa Cruz Ground Dove are light gray. The skull is overrun matt brown. It has a distinctive cream-colored breast shield, which is surrounded by a white rim. The back of the neck, the mantle and back are olive brown and have some purple iridescent spots on. The tail feathers are brownish purple. The lower breast and belly are dark reddish brown. The beak is dark gray, the iris is brown. The feet are red.
Dissemination
The Santa Cruz dove occurs only on three islands in the southwest Pacific. They populated until a few years ago the islands Tinakula, Utupua and Espiritu Santo. The first two islands belong to the so-called Santa Cruz Islands. On Tinakula, an eight -square-mile volcanic island that is only seasonally visited by people, they might sound still. This island but has not been visited in recent years by ornithologists. On Utupua it is now probably extinct. This island is now largely deforested. On Espiritu Santo, there is very likely some of these pigeons. Espiritu Santo still has a continuous forest inventory and in 2000, the characteristic of this type calls have been heard.
Behavior
The Santa Cruz - dove is a shy dove that lives predominantly solitary or in pairs. She is looking at the ground for food. Your food spectrum consists of seeds, berries and shoots. To a lesser extent it also takes on invertebrates. If disturbed, it flies usually not on, but constantly seeks protection. Here, the tail is carried high placed. About the reproductive biology of this species is not known.