Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii)
French: Pigeon d'Elphinstone German: Nilgiritaube Spanish: Paloma de los Nilgiris
Other common names: Spotted Woodpigeon.
Family: Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) *IOC World Bird Names Ver 5.3
Taxonomy: Ptilinopus Elphinstonii Sykes, 1833, the Ghats of Deccan, India.
Forms a superspecies with C. pulchricollis and C. torringtoni. Monotypic.
Subspecies and Distribution :
· Western Ghats of SW India, from S Maharashtra to Kerala and W Tamil Nadu.
IUCN Red List Status & Threats :
Vulnerable.
Habitat & Altitude:
Habitat (level 1) | Habitat (level 2) | Importance | Occurrence |
Forest | Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland | major | resident |
Forest | Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane | major | resident |
Altitude | 50 – 2250 m | ||
About the Photograph:
A cryptic bird, rarely descending to the ground. On this occasion I was sitting for about 8hrs from 06.00 hrs to 14.00hrs at a single spot near a stream adjoining a rock, 2 birds came down to drink water on the stream about 14.30hrs at about 6-7 feet from me; and yes I should admit I was shivering even after i took shots and the birds continued drinking on the stream. Indeed a treasurable moment in the forest which could not have accomplished without patience or silence. Equipment used Nikon D7000 and Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4.
References:
http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
Image Copyright © Prasanna Parab. Please do not use any image without prior permission from the copyright holder.
