Nilgiri Woodpigeon - Definition and Overview

The Nilgiri Woodpigeon (Columba elphinstonii) is a bird endemic to moist deciduous forests and sholas of South India. They are identified by their classical checkerboard pattern on their napes. They are a globally threatened species.

This pigeon qualifies as Vulnerable owing to its small, declining population, as a result of widespread destruction of its forest habitat. [1] A few relict populations may still survive on the high altitude hills of the peninsula outside the Western Ghats formation (Eg. Nandi Hills near Bangalore)

References

1. Red Data Book Asia (http://www.rdb.or.id/detailbird.php?id=316)

External link

• Photograph of the bird (http://www.listeningearth.com.au/pages/IndiaBirds/IndiaBirds2_4.html)