Cloven-feathered dove

The cloven-feathered dove (Drepanoptila holosericea) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is monotypic within the genus Drepanoptila, but this genus is possibly better merged into Ptilinopus.[2] The cloven-feathered dove is endemic to New Caledonia where found in forest and Melaleuca savanna at altitudes up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).[1]

Cloven-feathered dove

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Drepanoptila
Bonaparte, 1855
Species:
D. holosericea
Binomial name
Drepanoptila holosericea
(Temminck, 1810)

It is considered near-threatened by the IUCN due to habitat degradation and hunting.[1]

Distribution and Population

Drepanoptila holosericea is endemic to the island of New Caledonia where it is commonly found in its forest habitat. It is also found south of New Caledonia all throughout Ile des Pins but not the Loyalty Islands. Research groups in 1998 have estimated that 140,000 total individual birds live throughout its total range.

Ecology

The cloven-feathered dove is found commonly in primary and secondary moist forests up to 1,000 meters in elevation. It appears to prefer humid forest 400–600 meters in elevation, especially on the forest edge. However, there are little information of the bird's diet. All ornithologists have observed is that is does eat multiple different fruits and berries.

Threats

This bird is sparsely hunted because of ammunition quotas, making hunters save their ammunition for larger targets. If these quotas are removed, the dove may be hunted more and could rapidly decline in population, even though this bird is protected by law. Other threats include forest fires, deforestation, and mining operations.

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Drepanoptila holosericea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Gibb, G.C., & D. Penny (2010). Two aspects along the continuum of pigeon evolution: A South-Pacific radiation and the relationship of pigeons within Neoaves. Mol Phyl Evol 56(2): 698-706.

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22691585

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