Columba argentina

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	COLUMBIFORMES	COLUMBIDAE

Scientific Name:

Columba argentina

Species Authority:

Bonaparte, 1855

Common Name/s:

English

–

Grey Wood-pigeon, Silvery Pigeon, Silvery Wood-pigeon, Silvery Wood-Pigeon

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Eaton, J., Iqbal, M.

Justification:
Photographs taken in 2008 and 2010 confirm that this species survives in the wild. However, it is listed as Critically Endangered because it is assumed to have a tiny population. It may warrant downlisting subsequent to future surveys as there is now a greater chance of recording the species following the recent documentation of key identification criteria.

History:

2010	–	Critically Endangered
2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Columba argentina appears to have a highly restricted range, with historical records suggesting that it at least formerly occurred on islands off Sumatra, Indonesia (e.g. Simeulue, Mentawi Islands, Riau and Lingga archipelagos), and off the west coast of Sarawak, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia (e.g the Karimata and Natuna Islands, including Burong). There is one confirmed historical record each from mainland Sumatra and Kalimantan. There were previously no confirmed reports since 1931, and recent reports from South Sumatra province and Pulau Talang Besar in the Talang Talang Islands in 2001, have been treated as provisional¹. However, in 2008 one individual was photographed between the islets of Mastokut Island and Simaimu Islands, off the southern tip of Siberut in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, confirming that the species survives in the wild². This record was followed by at least one other sighting on Siberut of two birds that were possibly this species, in January 2009⁶. Unequivocal evidence that the species persists on Simeulue came in the form of at least three birds photographed in late December 2010⁸. There is also a photograph of two captive individuals in Hong Kong, and pictures of a small flock of birds, potentially C. argentina, from the Sembilang National Park in 2008^3,4,7. Interviews with 20 local people near the Merang-Kepayang River (South Sumatra), in August 2009, produced one possible record⁷. Given the difficulty in distinguishing C. argentina from the sympatric Ducula bicolor, it is likely that C. argentina has been overlooked in previous surveys for the species². Following the documentation of key differences between the two species⁵, it is likely that further surveys will result in the discovery of remnant populations.
Countries:	Native: Indonesia; Malaysia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This newly re-discovered species is precautionarily assumed to have a tiny population. However, given the probable misidentification of C. argentina in past surveys, and the documentation of key differences between the species and the similar sympatric Ducula bicolor, future surveys may well identify remnant populations and revise the population estimate upward.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits mangroves, woodland and coconut groves in the lowlands and hills of offshore islands, occasionally being found in similar habitats below 100 m on mainland Sumatra and Borneo. Although poorly known, available evidence suggests it wanders seasonally or disperses between islands in response to food supply.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Although little is known about the species, it may be speculated that settlement, deforestation, disturbance, hunting on small islands and the introduction of mammalian predators have caused widespread declines, as is the case for a number of other declining columbiformes. The birds photographed on Simeulue Island in December 2010 were found to be tame, prompting concerns that they could be easy targets for the island's hunters, although it was noted that other pigeon species were abundant^8,9. Poaching to supply the pet trade may be a further threat, as exemplified by two captive birds in Hong Kong². Habitat loss is likely to be a major threat, with extensive clearance for logging and conversion to agriculture and plantations taking place throughout the species's range^2,7. The locality of the recent records on Simeulue is being mined for gravel^8,9, which could result in the loss of suitable habitat⁸. Further mining is planned on Simeulue, as are large-scale oil palm plantations⁹, which could result in extensive habitat loss.

Major Threat(s):

Although little is known about the species, it may be speculated that settlement, deforestation, disturbance, hunting on small islands and the introduction of mammalian predators have caused widespread declines, as is the case for a number of other declining columbiformes. The birds photographed on Simeulue Island in December 2010 were found to be tame, prompting concerns that they could be easy targets for the island's hunters, although it was noted that other pigeon species were abundant^8,9. Poaching to supply the pet trade may be a further threat, as exemplified by two captive birds in Hong Kong². Habitat loss is likely to be a major threat, with extensive clearance for logging and conversion to agriculture and plantations taking place throughout the species's range^2,7. The locality of the recent records on Simeulue is being mined for gravel^8,9, which could result in the loss of suitable habitat⁸. Further mining is planned on Simeulue, as are large-scale oil palm plantations⁹, which could result in extensive habitat loss.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Recent provisional observations have been made in two protected areas, the Berbak Game Reserve and Padang-Sugihan Wildlife Reserve, both in South Sumatra. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys on islands within its historical range (and mangroves and swamp-forest of South Sumatra province⁷) to clarify its current distribution, population status, movements and attendant threats. Formulate a conservation strategy involving protection of key islands, especially those supporting breeding populations. Study fruiting tree phenology where the species has been recorded or is suspected to be extant to improve knowledge of food availability and the species's feeding ecology². Initiate conservation measures on Simeulue to counter the potential threats of hunting pressure and the loss and degradation of suitable habitat⁹.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Recent provisional observations have been made in two protected areas, the Berbak Game Reserve and Padang-Sugihan Wildlife Reserve, both in South Sumatra.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys on islands within its historical range (and mangroves and swamp-forest of South Sumatra province⁷) to clarify its current distribution, population status, movements and attendant threats. Formulate a conservation strategy involving protection of key islands, especially those supporting breeding populations. Study fruiting tree phenology where the species has been recorded or is suspected to be extant to improve knowledge of food availability and the species's feeding ecology². Initiate conservation measures on Simeulue to counter the potential threats of hunting pressure and the loss and degradation of suitable habitat⁹.

Bibliography [top]

	Anon. 2009. Silvery Wood Pigeon Columba argentina - International Dove Society. Available at: #http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/SeedSpecies/SilveryWoodPigeon.htm#. BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K. Lee, M. T.; Yong Ding Li; Ong Tun Pin. 2009. A photographic record of Silvery Pigeon Columba argentina from the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, with notes on identification, distribution and conservation. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 129(3): 122-128. Wilson, K.J. 2004. A provisional sighting of the Silvery Pigeon on the Talang Talang Islands, Sarawak, Malaysia. BirdingASIA: 55-57. Yong Ding Li. 2009. Notes on the status and identification of the Silvery Pigeon Columba argentina. BirdingASIA 11: 53-58.

Anon. 2009. Silvery Wood Pigeon Columba argentina - International Dove Society. Available at: #http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/SeedSpecies/SilveryWoodPigeon.htm#.

BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

Lee, M. T.; Yong Ding Li; Ong Tun Pin. 2009. A photographic record of Silvery Pigeon Columba argentina from the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, with notes on identification, distribution and conservation. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 129(3): 122-128.

Wilson, K.J. 2004. A provisional sighting of the Silvery Pigeon on the Talang Talang Islands, Sarawak, Malaysia. BirdingASIA: 55-57.

Yong Ding Li. 2009. Notes on the status and identification of the Silvery Pigeon Columba argentina. BirdingASIA 11: 53-58.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2011. Columba argentina. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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