Found in dense forests on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and coastal areas of India and the Indonesian Archipelago. They are the closest living relative to the extinct dodo bird.
The life of a Nicobar pigeon
Nicobar pigeons can grow nearly a foot-and-a-half in length and weigh one to two pounds. They live eight to 12 years in the wild, 15 to 20 in human care. Young
Nicobar pigeons are born with dull colors but develop strikingly colorful blue-green feathers. Long hair-like neck feathers, called hackles, add to their vibrant appearance.
Though they are capable flyers, Nicobar pigeons spend most of their time on the ground, feeding on seeds, berries, insects and nuts from the forest floor. Their strong bill is particularly useful for cracking hard nuts.
They can be found solitary or in flocks of 20 to 30 birds. When mating, males coo loudly and put on a display for females, ending with a bow. Males select nest sites high in evergreen trees away from predators and gather material for the nest, while the female builds it. Couples mate for life.
Females lay one egg at a time that hatches after about a month. Both parents feed chicks on “crop milk”, which comes from their stomachs. After about 30 days, young Nicobar pigeons become independent.
Nicobar pigeons’ primary predators are non-native rats and cats introduced to their island habitats. Hunting and deforestation also pose harm.
Nicobar pigeons at the zoo
Located in the Vollum Aviary near the Africa area.
