About the Nuku Hiva Imperial Pigeon
The Nuku Hiva imperial pigeon, also known as the Marquesan imperial pigeon or Upe, is a pigeon which is endemic to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia, now restricted to some valleys in the western part of that island; following successful reintroductions of birds in 2000 and 2003, there is now an established population on Ua Huka. With its small distribution, scientists now believe it has probably never been common, but its small population has marked it as an endangered species since 2008.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This is the largest pigeon outside of the crowned pigeons, as it weighs approximately 900 g (2.0 lb). Females, at 50 to 53.5 cm (19.7 to 21.1 in) long, are slightly smaller than males, at 55 cm (22 in) in length. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 27.8–32.1 cm (10.9–12.6 in), the tail is 18.1–23.1 cm (7.1–9.1 in), the bill is 1.9–2.7 cm (0.75–1.06 in) and the tarsus is 3.9–4.6 cm (1.5–1.8 in). This species is heavily built with a large bill and long, broad tail. The wings are broad and rounded in shape.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a passage migrant species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black Imperial PigeonDucula melanochroaThe black imperial pigeon is a large, heavily built, long-tailed species for its genus, with a length of 38–43 cm (15–17 in) and a weight of 661–665 g (23.3–23.5 oz).
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