Bird Guide

Pink Pigeon

Nesoenas mayeri

Not EvaluatedPlantsForestCavity nestLarge · 303 g

About the Pink Pigeon

The pink pigeon is a species of pigeon in the family Columbidae endemic to Mauritius. The pink pigeon nearly became extinct in the 1970s and the 1990s and is still very rare. It is the only Mascarene pigeon that has not become extinct. It was on the brink of extinction in 1991 when only 10 individuals remained, but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust since 1977. While the population remains at below 500 birds as of 2011, the IUCN downlisted the species from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2000, and then downlisted it again to vulnerable in 2018.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

An adult pink pigeon is about 36–38 centimetres (14–15 in) from beak to tail and 350 grams in weight. Pink pigeons have pale pinkish-grey plumage on their head, shoulders and underside, along with pink feet. The beak is a dark pink color with a white tip. They have dark brown wings, and a broad, rust-colored tail. Their eyes are dark brown surrounded by an eye-ring of red skin. Newly hatched pigeons have sparse, downy-white feathers and closed eyes. The voice of the pink pigeon consists of a flight call that is a short, hardened "hoo hoo".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Pink Pigeon lives

Regular range

When to see the Pink Pigeon

Peak activity in May · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Pink Pigeon in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.