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Common Name: Nicobar pigeon Family: Columbidae
Latin Name: Caleonas nicobarica Diet: Frugivore
Type: Bird Habitat: Tropical Rainforests
Native To: Asia Social Unit: Group
IUCN Red List Status:Near threatened

 

Nicobar pigeons at Edinburgh Zoo

There are currently five Nicobar pigeons (Caloenas nicobarica) at Edinburgh Zoo.  Two males arrived here from Prague Zoo in October 2005, they both hatched in 2004, one in March and the other in August.  We received two more males from Bristol Zoo in May 2007, they both hatched in August 2006. In December 2008 we received a female pigeon from Bristol Zoo.  She hatched in June 2008.

 

Nicobar pigeon photo by Kez Dowling

Nicobar pigeon photo by Edinburgh Zoo Facebook fan Kez Dowling 

Where it can be found at Edinburgh Zoo

Two male and one female Nicobar pigeons can be found in the Australasian aviary at the koala exhibit sharing the walk through with our green-winged doves, crested pigeons, red-sided eclectus parrot and Victoria crowned pigeons. The other two males are in the Rainbow Landings enclosure.

 

Nicobar pigeons in the wild

They live in the lowland tropical forests and mangroves of Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Vietnam and of course the Nicobar Islands. These pigeons feed on the forest floor, foraging for berries, fruit, insects, seeds and grain where available.  The female lays one or two eggs which are incubated for approximately a month by both parents.  By a month old the young pigeons can fend for themselves and leave the nest shortly after.

Nicobar pigeon Please adopt me - I only have one adopter!

 

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