imperial-pigeon

Like other islands in the Pacific, hunting and habitat modification since the arrival of the first humans has led to a number of extinctions, including 11 species of non-passerine birds, and continues to pose a threat to the New Caledonian imperial-pigeon and to flying foxes.

Biological diversity in New Caledonia 2008

Other distinctive bird species include the endemic New Caledonia imperial-pigeon (Ducula goliath), which is the world's largest arboreal pigeon, the endemic cloven-feathered dove (Drepanoptila holosericea), the New Caledonian owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles savesi, CR) known from only a few specimens, and most recently from an individual seen in 1998 in the Ni Riviere Valley.

Biological diversity in New Caledonia 2008

The accessibility of forests to hunting is increased by both logging and prospecting and threatens some species such as the New Caledonian imperial-pigeon.

New Caledonia rain forests 2008

Some of the vertebrate species of New Caledonia stand out for being unique in size: the New Caledonian imperial-pigeon (Ducula goliath) is the largest arboreal pigeon in the world, Rhacodactylus leachianus is the world's largest gecko, and the giant skink (Phoboscincus bocourti) is the largest skink, although it has not been seen since the 1870s and may be extinct.

New Caledonia rain forests 2008

These two near-endemic species (Table 2), the spice imperial-pigeon (Ducula myristicivora) and the green-backed robin (Pachycephalopsis hattamensis), are also found on the mainland.

Yapen rain forests 2008

Hunting is a major factor in the endangerment of the Nuku Hiva or Marquesan imperial-pigeon, a species with less than 300 individuals left.

Marquesas tropical moist forests 2007

In addition to the restricted-range species, the critically endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jeffreyi) and vulnerable spotted imperial-pigeon (Ducula carola) are found in the ecoregion.

Mindanao montane rain forests 2007

In addition, the restricted-range species Micronesian imperial-pigeon (Ducula oceanica) is resident and the widespread but vulnerable bristle-thighed curlew (Numenius tahitiensis) winters in the Marshalls and Gilberts.

Eastern Micronesia tropical moist forests 2007

The Vanuatu scrubfowl (Megapodius layardi), Santa Cruz ground-dove (Gallicolumba sanctaecrucis), Vanuatu imperial-pigeon (Ducula bakeri), chestnut-bellied kingfisher (Todirhampus farquhari), royal parrotfinch (Erythrura regia), and Santo Mountain starling (Aplonis santovestris) are all considered vulnerable.

Vanuatu rain forests 2008

Five of these species are considered vulnerable: black cuckoo-dove (Turacoena modesta), Wetar ground-dove (Gallicolumba hoedtii), Timor green-pigeon (Treron psittacea), Timor imperial-pigeon (Ducula cineracea), and iris lorikeet (Psitteuteles iris).

Timor and Wetar deciduous forests 2008