Endangered Species: Pink Pigeon

In our previous articles we have talked about extinct as well as other endangered species of pigeons on the planet. From extinct passenger pigeons to endangered crested pigeons. However, there are those certain species that happen to be truly even more extinct and we ought to talk about them.

One of the most endangered species of pigeons in the planet is the pink pigeons. They have been dubbed and enlisted as one of the endangered species on January 12, 1995 because of their noticeably dwindling species population. Pink pigeons are the largest known species of pigeon birds in the planet up to now. However, with their rescinding numbers, these large species of pigeon birds will soon be out of the picture and another pigeon bird species will soon assume the throne of being the largest pigeon species. The scientific name of pink pigeon is Columba mayeri; other names and subspecies would include: Nesoenas mayeri, Streptopelia mayeri and naturally belongs to the animal group of birds.

The thing about pink pigeons is that they are often found prevalent in certain areas, but are minimal in a particular location - the Indian Ocean (Mauritius). But still, the accumulative number of species of pink pigeons still count as below viable population and therefore are still considered endangered.

More About Pink Pigeons

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The pink pigeon species are actually very rare species of pigeons that are endemically found in the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. These species of pigeons are actually considered to be the largest species of pigeons and dove species on the planet. It is said that an adult pink pigeon can reach an entire body span of 12.6 inches in length measuring from beak to tail feathers. They could also weigh in as much as 12 ounces. The reason why this species of birds are called pink pigeons are pretty much obvious. They have light pink colored feathers. They also have brown wings, as well as dark pink bills, legs and feet. Pink pigeon's tail is colored brown and their eyes as well. But their eyes are surrounded with a red skin ring. However, they have come to be so rare that they have been considered to be almost extinct.

Normally, this type of birds would prefer inhabiting upland areas of evergreen rainforests but they are not that prevalent. They are seen feeding and even roosting in minute flocks in some trees and often they are really that difficult to detect because of their small numbers. In a given area of upland forest, there could only be a maximum of 2-3 pink pigeons in those area and sometimes they are not seen at all. Their diet is comprised of small insects, flowers, some fruits, buds and as well as seeds of some exotic plants and vegetation in the area. when these pigeons mate, they group themselves into two, a pair of female and male where they then build their nests and thrive to protect their newly borne territories. A female pink pigeon would average giving birth to one or two eggs per sitting. It would take them 12-14 days to fully incubate their eggs until it hatches. Typically, pink pigeons take turns in incubating their eggs. The female of this species would incubate their eggs at night while their males would incubate the eggs during daytime.

It is believed that there are only about 20 of these birds that thrive in the wild and the rest of about 200 are bred in captivity in order to preserve the species until they reach a viable population. Only by then they will be set free to roam the earth once more. The dangers to their existence are not only consisting of human beings, but as well as their natural predators such as cats and hawks. Diseases are also among the primary threats of the species. In 1963, the Jersey wildlife preservation park has been established to serve as home to this endangered species of pigeons and also serves as an aid to their dwindling existence.

At present, pink pigeons are still endangered and they are even more threatened by the unprecedented influx of poachers that seek them. The remaining 20 pink pigeons in the wild could have possibly diminished in number over time. The legislation and promulgation, as well as the implementation of the laws that restrict the hunting of this pigeon species are not as effective as they should be considering that it would be quite difficult to enforce the law in some unchartered wild areas. Considering as well, that there are still people who take less heed on these legal restrictions, the species may very well be in danger still to this day. Sooner or later, if the attempts to preserve the pink pigeons would fail, they would most likely become like their former relatives, the passenger pigeons whom have gone extinct in the 1900's.

Passenger pigeons are actually extinct species of pigeons. They were once very prevalent in the American areas and they apparently outnumber any bird species population in the area before. However, due to massive hunting for their meat, they have gradually diminished and finally been wiped out from the face of the earth. The last of this species was last seen in the early 1900's in captivity. Due to old age, the bird died out of natural causes.

The pink pigeons are about to face the brink of extinction as well any time soon if we are not that careful in our means to control certain species of animals. We have to make it a point that we would always conform to the specific laws that deal with the preservation of pigeon species on earth so as not to accidentally cause the destruction of their species. We have to understand that despite our dominion and power over everything else as humans, we still have that sublime responsibility to protect them from sheer obliteration. We have to understand that we will still be the one who will suffer the consequences of our wrong actions.