Tooth-billed Pigeon
Tooth pigeons
The tooth Dove ( Didunculus strigirostris ) is a species of pigeons and birds only extant representative of its genus. It is a very little-known type, which is found only on two of the Samoan islands. Possible closely related to the nature of the Indo-Pacific Earth Dove and Pheasant Pigeon.
Appearance
The tooth dove reaches a body length of about 31 centimeters. This makes it about the size of a wood pigeon. It is a long-legged kind, the legs are featherless. The plumage on the head, neck, upper mantle, and chest is dark green. The rear neck, the back and the rump, the tail and the wings are maroon. The abdomen is black green. The primaries and the wing-coverts are black gray.
A striking feature of this type is particularly the large beak that is curved hook-shaped at the top. The nostrils are horizontally and slit-shaped narrow. He has, in its similarity in shape to the beaks of the extinct Dronten.
Distribution area, habitat and behavior
The tooth dove is found only on the Upolu and Savaii Samoa. It occurs according to current knowledge on mountain slopes at an altitude 300-1300 meters above sea level. Very little is known about their habits. In the 19th century it was considered a ground-dwelling kind that built their nests predominantly on the ground. However, these were often destroyed by pigs. According to observations that were made during the 20th century, incubates the tooth dove in trees and tree t on both to sleep and to rest. Their food habits are different from those of other pigeons. She is in a position similar to a parrot hard -shelled nuts aufzubeißen. It is considered possible that the tsunami could have serious 2009, the remainders of the tooth dove further decimated. Accurate inventory estimates are also difficult because their reputation which the White-throated Pigeon is very similar.
Others
On the back of the 20 - Tala - slip a tooth dove is shown.