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Columba elphinstonii
– Vulnerable
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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AVES
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Order:
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COLUMBIFORMES
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Family:
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COLUMBIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Columba elphinstonii
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Species Authority:
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(Sykes, 1833)
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Common Name/s:
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| English | — | NILGIRI WOOD-PIGEON |
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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VU C2a(ii) ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2007
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Assessor/s:
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BirdLife International
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Evaluator/s:
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Bird, J. & Butchart, S. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)
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Justification:
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This pigeon qualifies as Vulnerable owing to its small, declining population; a result of widespread destruction of its forest habitat.
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History:
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| 1988 | - | Threatened (Collar and Andrew 1988) |
| 1994 | - | Lower Risk/near threatened (Collar, Crosby and Stattersfield 1994) |
| 2000 | - | Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2000) |
| 2004 | - | Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2004) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Columba elphinstonii is endemic to the hill-ranges of the Western Ghats, south-west India, occurring from north-west Maharashtra south, through Karnataka and Goa, to southern Kerala and western Tamil Nadu. It was once considered common and widespread, but has undergone a major decline. Most recent records come from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where it still appears to be locally common.
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Range Map:
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 (click for detailed map)
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Countries:
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Native:
India
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Population
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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"It is virtually confined to moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, including densely wooded ravines and hollows (""sholas""), chiefly in foothills and mountains up to 2,000 m, but it has been recorded in the lowlands down to 50 m. It only occasionally visits moist deciduous forest and Eucalyptus and is absent from tea and Acacia plantations. It appears to make some nomadic movements in response to food availability and perhaps colder weather. It generally breeds from March-July."
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System:
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Terrestrial
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Threats
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Threats:
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Historically, it was hunted for food and sport, which probably contributed to its decline. Currently, the loss, degradation and increasing fragmentation of forest are a greater concern. In Maharashtra, forest cover is declining because of shifting cultivation and collection of timber for fuel and building. A massive 47% of evergreen/semi-evergreen forest was lost in the Kerala portion of the Western Ghats between 1961-1988, principally as a result of conversion to plantations, cash-crops, and clearance for human settlements and development projects. In certain portions of its range (e.g. Goa) hunting is considered a threat.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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Conservation measures underway:
It is legally protected in India and occurs in at least 16 protected areas, most in Kerala, including three national parks, 10 wildlife sanctuaries, one tiger reserve and two reserve forests.
Conservation measures proposed:
Conduct research into seasonal movements and identify key sites. Establish protected areas where necessary, ensure these sites are effectively safeguarded, and promote sustainable exploitation of forests throughout the Western Ghats. Campaign for significant reductions in the conversion of natural forest to plantation. Promote community-based conservation initiatives focusing on alternatives to deforestation and restoration of disturbed natural habitats within its range.
Conservation measures proposed:
Conduct research into seasonal movements and identify key sites. Establish protected areas where necessary, ensure these sites are effectively safeguarded, and promote sustainable exploitation of forests throughout the Western Ghats. Campaign for significant reductions in the conversion of natural forest to plantation. Promote community-based conservation initiatives focusing on alternatives to deforestation and restoration of disturbed natural habitats within its range.
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