About the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
The Nilgiri wood pigeon is a large pigeon found in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. They are mainly frugivorous and forage in the canopy of dense hill forests. They are best identified in the field by their large size, dark colours and the distinctive checkerboard pattern on their nape.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This pigeon appears dark grey and a black and white patterned patch made of white tipped stiff feathers on the back of the neck is distinctive. The mantle is chestnut. The male has a paler grey crown while the female has a darker grey crown with a pale throat. The most confusable other species is the mountain imperial pigeon but that species has paler underwing coverts. The feet and the base of the bill are red.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon sounds like
Where the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon lives
When to see the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
Peak activity in February · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Snow PigeonColumba leuconotaSnow pigeons have a blackish head contrasting with a white neck collar and white underparts shading into ashy on the abdomen.
Speckled Wood PigeonColumba hodgsoniiGeneral Characteristics: Size of the Speckled wood pigeon is usually 38–40 cm (15–15.5 in) for adults.
Metallic PigeonColumba vitiensisThe adult has an iridescent purple and green crown, black wing and uppertail coverts, yellowish red iris, yellow bill, red orbital skin, white or grey chin and ear coverts, and purplish feet.
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